Influence of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts on germination and early seedling development of major cereals

Germination and seedling growth of major cereals treated with Moringa oleifera leaf extracts was investigate at University of Zambia. Aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera at the ratio of 1:10 (w/v) were sprayed on seed of maize (Zea mays. L.), rice (Oryzae sativa.L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor. L.) and wheat (Triticum Aestivum. L.) in a growth room at 25 o C for 14 days. The data were subjected to analysis of variance. M. oleifera leaf extracts enhanced (p 0.05) germination of rice by 25% and reduced (p>0.001) germination percentage of rice by 7%. M. oleifera leaf extracts increased (p 0.001) growth of hypocotyls by 42.9% in sorghum. M. oleifera increased (p>0.001) radicle length of maize by 77.8% and reduced (p<0.04) radicle length of rice by 28.6%. Early contact of M. oleifera leaf extracts with seeds of cereals is undesirable. M. oleifera reduces radical length of rice, hypocotyls of sorghum, seedling survival of sorghum, germination percentage of rice and delays germination of rice.