ABSTRACT

The effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera on the germination and seedling growth of groundnut and cowpea was investigated. Five treatment levels having different concentration of extracts (undiluted, 1:1, 1:2.5, 1.50) and control were used. Both laboratory and field (pot) experiment were conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The control treatment was only distilled water. The result showed that the rate of germination of groundnut decreased with the increase in aqueous extract concentration. The extract stimulated the growth of groundnut at all treatment levels but has no significant effect on its dry weight. The study revealed that aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera inhibited the germination of cowpea and as the concentration of extract increases, it decreases the height and dry weight of the seedlings. This study therefore suggests that allelochemicals released from the leaf part of Moringa oleifera inhibited the germination of groundnut and cowpea while it stimulated the height of groundnut but has no significant effect on its dry weight. It was also observed that the aqueous leaf extract of M. oleifera inhibited the height and dry weight of cowpea. This result therefore suggests that allelochemicals may contribute to the allelopathic effect caused by moringa leaves.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title i

Declaration ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv                                                                                                           

Acknowledgement v                                                                                                           

Table of Content vi

List of Tables  ix  

List of Plates            x                                                                                          

Abstract xi                  

CHAPTER ONE        

1.1        Introduction 1        

1.2         Botany of Plants 8         

1.3         Justification 1

1.4   Aim and Objectives 10         

CHAPTER TWO

2.0         Literature review 11          

2.1         Inhibition Role of Aqueous Plant Extract on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Plant                             2.2         Stimulatory Role of Aqueous Plant Extract on the Germination and Seedling  Growth of    Plants.    

CHAPTER THREE

3.0         Materials and Methods 20             

3.1         Plant Materials 20         

3.2        Preparations of Aqueous Extracts 20          

3.3        Seed Germination Test (%) 21         

3.4        Seedling Growth Test 22        

3.4.1     Plant Height (cm) 22

3.4.2     Dry Weight (G) 22

3.5        Experimental Design and Statistical Procedure 22         

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1       Result 23         

4.1.1.   Height Growth (cm) 23

4.1.2.   Seed Germination (%) 25

CHAPTER FIVE         

5.1     Discussion 28

5.1.1   Effect of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Moringa Oleifera on the Germination

          Of Groundnut and Cowpea Seed 28

5.1.2   Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Moringa Oleifera on the Seedling Growth of 

           Groundnut (Arachis Hypogea) and Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata). 29

5.2      Conclusion 30

5.3      Recommendation 31

           References