Effect of Soil on Moringa oleifera Lam. Seed Germination and Establishment

Abstract

This study investigated the germination and early growth performance of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds collected from four Libyan populations (Benghazi, Zliten, Misurata, and Tripoli) when sown in four different soil types from the Benghazi region, beside sand and peatmoss media. Pod morphological traits varied significantly across sources, revealing a distinct trade-off in resource allocation. Benghazi produced the heaviest pods (18.4 g) with fewer, larger seeds (39.9 g/100 seeds), while pods from Misurata and Zliten were lighter with more numerous but smaller seeds. Despite these differences, total seed mass per pod remained conserved across populations. Germination success was primarily governed by soil type rather than seed origin, with Sidi Ali soil exhibiting significant inhibitory effects on germination. Seedling growth was influenced by complex interactions between seed source and soil type. The seedlings of seeds that were obtained from Zliten demonstrated superior vegetative vigour, producing the longest shoots and roots, while Benghazi seedlings showed the poorest initial growth despite originating from the largest seeds. Seeds sown in sand promoted optimal root development, whereas organic-rich media (peatmoss, Ganfouda) enhanced shoot biomass. Soil from the Quarsha site consistently limited all growth parameters. These findings highlight that selecting appropriate seed sources (particularly Zliten) and optimizing soil conditions are crucial for successful Moringa establishment in Libyan environments.