Improvement of growth and nutritional quality of Moringa oleifera using different biofertilizers

Moringa seeds were cultivated in polyethylene bags (1 kg capacity) filled with clay loamy soil. Bags were treated with microorganisms using three methods of inoculation i.e. soil inoculation (single or mixed cultures); leaf inoculation (single culture), and soil and leaf inoculation (mixed inoculation). Plants were harvested after 3 months of cultivation. Shoot and root lengths, shoot and root dry weights, leaves fresh and dry weights, vitamin C g/g fresh leaf, protein g/g leaves dry weight and mineral contents (Mg, P, K, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu) were recorded. Biofertilization by different inoculation methods increased most of the parameters tested. The highest records of shoot and root lengths, and shoot and root dry weights were obtained with soil inoculation with mixed cultures of (Azotobacter chroococcum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and (Azot. chroococcum and Bacillus circulans). The same trend in respect of Vitamin C was obtained. But, the highest protein contents (g/g dry weight leaves) were obtained with soil inoculation with (Azot. chroococcum and B. circulans), (Bacillus megatherium) and (Azot. chroococcum and S. cerevisiae), which gave 0.73, 0.59 and 0.58 g protein/g leaves dry weight respectively. Generally, soil inoculation with either B. megatherium, B. circulans, (Azot. chroococcum and Pseudomonas fluorescens), (Azot. chroococcum and B. circulans), Azot. chroococcum, and (Azospirillum brazilense and B. megatherium) gave the highest records of Mg, P, K, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu respectively.