Abstract

GOMEZ-MARTINEZ, Martha et al. Seed quality of moringa and its adaptability in the field in association with buffelgrass. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2020, vol.7, n.2, 00001.  Epub Dec 22, 2020. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a7n2.2408.

Moringa oleifera presents adaptation to tropical and semi-arid zones, and has leaves with high protein content. In two types of moringa (short capsule and long capsule), the percentage of germination, emergence, plant height, speed of emergence and growth under nursery conditions were evaluated. The field adaptation was a mixture of seed of both types. The long capsule showed 80 and 70% of germination and emergence, respectively. The emergence speed was similar in both types of moringa, while the growth rate in long capsule was 2.02 and in short capsule 1.24 mm day-1. The incidence of phytopathogenic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum) in seed with testa, seed without testa and only the testa, was higher in short capsule type with 70%. The plants were attacked by Dorylaimus nematodes, which were found in the substrate. In field conditions, there was 97.37% of plant establishment, but, 31% of the population was destroyed by leaf cutter ants, buffel grass competition and low temperatures. The highest physiological seed quality was obtained by the long capsule type, since, it had a germination percentage and a speed of growth higher than the short capsule, and lower incidence of Fusarium oxysporum. These results indicate that M. oleifera has potential for adaptation in the semiarid region of northern Mexico.

Keywords : Interspecific competition; phytotoxicity; Moringa oleifera; nematodes; seed vigor.

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