No abstract

A survey on the utilization potentials of Moringa oleifera in Nigeria was conducted in 2011. The survey involved 14 states (including the Federal Capital Territory) across the five agroecological zones. The 14 States were Borno, Kano, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nassarawa, Abuja (F.C.T), Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Oyo, Enugu and Anambra. A semi-structured questionnaire and field visits were adopted in this study while a multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. The survey found more than 25 local names of Moringa oleifera in Nigeria. Widespread utilization of Moringa as food was observed with its use as vegetable in soup, as salad or herbal tea having particularly high scores. There was low awareness of Moringa oleifera as a domestic cleansing agent although about 30% of respondents used it in domestic water clarification. The species has high ethno-medicinal value, addressing close to 20 conditions including typhoid and malaria fever (78.7%), ear infection (71.8%), eye infection (66.9%), lowering of blood sugar (diabetes mellitus) (65.2%) and blood pressure (64.7%). It is evident that this important species is still underutilized in Nigeria and more efforts are required for a fuller exploitation of its rich potentials.

No abstract

An experiment to determine the effect of pig waste on the survival, growth and productivity of 20 accessions of Moringa oleifera from the various agroecologies in Nigeria was conducted from August 2011 to November 2012. The experiment was a factorial combination of 3 rates of pig waste -0, 10 and 20 t/haand 20 accessions of Moringa oleifera. Analysis of variance results indicated a general decline in survival percentage of the accessions with time with the Kolo accession showing the highest survival percentage of 84.4% 15 months after transplanting, while Baruten recorded the lowest survival rate (37.8%). There were significant variations across accessions in all the morphological and pod and seed parameters evaluated. The accession from Kolo showed the tallest plants and the widest stem girth while Ugya produced more leaves at the last measurement. Kolo, Ugya, Idere and Awo -Garaji had comparatively higher dry weights than other accessions. There was a linear response to pig waste application although the 0 and 10 t/ha rates were statistically the same. Variation in the pattern of response of reproductive parameters to organic manure was noticed with Baruten and Zaria not producing viable pods at manure rate of 10 t/ha while Idere and Maiduguri failed to bear pods at rates of 20 t/ha. Accessional differences in survival and growth can be exploited for selection and breeding purposes while organic manure can be utilized to improve growth and yield of the species.

No abstract