Seed yield components, oil content, and fatty acid composition of two cultivars of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) growing in the Arid Chaco of Argentina

Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. pterygosperma Gaertn [Moringaceae]) is a fast-growing small tree native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of Northern India. The recognition that moringa oil has value in cosmetics has increased interest in cultivating it for seed-oil. The experimental trials were conducted in a semi-commercial moringa plantation in the subtropical northwestern region of Argentina, considering the similar climate conditions to the plant native region. Pods per tree, seeds per pod, weight of seed per pod, kernel weight, kernels oil content and fatty acid composition of PKM-1 and African cultivars were determined. One individual, E4-9, a PKM-1 plant, had significantly (P < 0.05) higher production than all other plants. In addition, this individual was the highest extrapolated oil producer in both 2003 and 2004, with 595 and 564 kg ha−1, respectively (ave. 580 kg ha−1). Seed weight (200-seed wt.) was significantly greater in 2003 than 2004; no other traits studied showed significant differences between years. Both cultivars produced-oil with practically identical fatty acid composition, and the monounsaturated ω-9 oleic fatty acid accounted for more than 70% of the total for both cultivars. The polyunsaturated ω-6 linoleic fatty acid content of the African cultivar was slightly, but significantly (P < 0.05), higher than that of PKM-1.

Research highlights▶ Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. pterygosperma Gaertn [Moringaceae]) is a fast-growing small tree native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of Northern India. ▶ The experimental trials were conducted in a semi-commercial moringa plantation in the subtropical northwestern region of Argentina. ▶ Pods per tree, seeds per pod, weight of seed per pod, kernel weight, kernels oil content and fatty acid composition of PKM-1 and African cultivars were determined. ▶ Both cultivars produced oil with practically identical fatty acid composition, and the monounsaturated oleic fatty acid accounted for more than 70% of the total for both cultivars. ▶ This study indicates that moringa tree oil can be produced reasonably well under irrigated conditions in the Arid Chaco ecosystem of northwestern Argentina.