Contributions of Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) Tree Foliage for Enrichment of Soil Nutrient Status

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the potentials of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) leaves for the enhancement of nutrient capacity of soils. The study specifically compared the rates of nutrient release by fresh and dry moringa leaves and monitored the rate of decomposition of the leaves for nutrient release into the soil over a period of six weeks of incubation. Three soil samples were taken at 0-30 cm depth from the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) farm lands, put into 3 kg capacity plastic buckets, each containing 2kg of topsoil, and covered with lids. Thereafter, fresh and dry moringa leaves were incorporated into each of the plastic buckets at the rates of 50, 100 and 150 g. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The effects of the treated soils on two growth characters: plant height and leaf area of maize (Zea mays) were monitored during four weeks of growth. The incorporation of fresh or dry moringa leaves increased the soil organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus contents but reduced exchangeable aluminium and hydrogen ions. Nutrient release was higher in the dry than the fresh moringa leaves at all rates of incorporation. Maize performed generally well at the three levels of the fresh leaf treatment but the best result was obtained at the 100 g of fresh leaves per 2 kg of soil for leaf area and 150 g rate for plant height. For the dry leaf treatment, the plants responded best at 50 g rate.