Blanching and drying period affect moisture loss and vitamin C content in Ziziphus mauritiana (Lamk.)

Wider utilization of Ziziphus mauritania (Lamk) Ber fruits in sub-Saharan Africa is hindered by the rapid deterioration of the fresh fruits and darkening of sun-dried fruits. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of pre-drying treatment, drying method and the subsequent duration of storage on the quality attributes of Z. mauritiana fruits harvested from the Zambezi Valley. The vitamin C content was high at the beginning of the drying period and progressively decreased as the drying increased, and was lowest at three weeks for all drying methods. Effect of drying method was not significant (P > 0.05). The purity (chroma) and lightness (value) of fruit colour decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing drying duration irrespective of the drying method. Blanching fruits before drying significantly (P< 0.001) decreased the colour chroma of the fruits (6.4) in comparison with non-blanched fruits (6.6). Further work to determine the causes of darkening in drying Z. mauritiana fruits and sensory evaluations to determine the level of darkening that is acceptable to consumers is warranted

Effect of Moringa Extract on Growth and Yield of Tomato

Trials were carried out to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a growth hormone on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumL var. Rodade). In the greenhouse, five treatments were used: the control, where only water was added (M0), second control where ethanol 80 % was added (ME), moringa extract applied once at 2 weeks from emergence (M1), moringa extract applied at 2 and 4 weeks from emergence (M2), and moringa extract applied every 2 weeks to maturity,starting from two weeks from germination (M3).The same treatments were adopted in the field except the ME which was considered unnecessary after observing the results of the greenhouse experiment. Results showed that moringa extract increased growth and yield of tomato in both greenhouse and field. Moringa extract significantly increased above ground dry matter yield (DM), root dry matter weight and plant height for the crop. Yields obtained at MI, M2 and M3 were increasing in ascending order from M1. The study recommends the application of extract at M3

Effect of Moringa Extract on Growth and Yield of Maize and Common Beans

An evaluation on the potential benefit of using Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a growth hormone on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and maize (Zea mays) was done. Trials were carried out in the greenhouse and field. In the greenhouse, five treatments were used: control (M0, only water applied), second control (ME, only ethanol applied), moringa extract (in 80% ethanol) applied (on leaves) once at 2 weeks from emergence (M1), moringa extract applied at 2 and 4 weeks from emergence (M2), and moringa extract applied every 2 weeks to maturity from two weeks from germination (M3). The same treatments were adopted in the field except ME, which was considered unnecessary after observing the results of the greenhouse experiment. Results showed that moringa extract increased growth and yield of beans in both greenhouse and field, and of maize in the field. However, the extract showed no significant effect on DM yield, root DM or plant height of maize in the greenhouse. The highest DM and root weight, height and crop yields in greenhouse and field experiments for beans, and for maize in the field only, were obtained at M3. The study recommends the application of extract at M3

Effects of soil type and manure level on the establishment and growth of moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera is considered one of the most useful trees being promoted across the world for its nutritional value. However, the production requirements of this crop are seldom known. The study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil type and cattle manure on initial establishment and growth of M. oleifera. Greenhouse experiments were conducted at Africa University, Zimbabwe in a 4×4 factorial treatment structure laid in a randomized complete block design replicated 3 times. Sandy, sandy loam, clay loam and clay soils were used while cattle manure was applied to all the soils at levels of 0, 10, 20 and 40% on mass to mass basis. Results showed that, plant height, number of branches, basal stem diameter, root, shoot and total dry biomass significantly increased (p<0.05) with an increase in the amount of cattle manure applied. An increase of 173% in M. oleifera height was recorded where 40% manure was applied. Clay loam soils significantly increased (p<0.05) M. oleifera growth rate. The study showed that application of cattle manure in acidic granitic sandy soils enhances the production of M. oleifera. A combination of clay loam and 40% manure was concluded as the best for M. oleifera establishment and growth