Divergent Growth Strategies in Moringa Oleifera Seedlings: Organic-Inorganic Fertilizer Synergies Drive Trade-Offs Between Vertical Elongation and Foliar Expansion

Wele H. K.; Atiku; M.; Ambursa; A.S.; Mansur M.A.; Abdulrahman; A.; Salisu; I.A.; Tanimu M.U.; Muhammad; Z.; F.U. Zogirma

doi:10.56201/ijaes.vol.12.no7.2026.pg145.152

Divergent Growth Strategies in Moringa Oleifera Seedlings: Organic-Inorganic Fertilizer Synergies Drive Trade-Offs Between Vertical Elongation and Foliar Expansion

Wele H. K., Atiku, M., Ambursa, A.S., Mansur M.A., Abdulrahman, A., Salisu, I.A., Tanimu M.U., Muhammad, Z. , F.U. Zogirma

Abstract

Optimizing nursery fertilization for Moringa oleifera requires balancing rapid establishment with structural integrity, yet conventional approaches often prioritize maximum biomass over functional morphology. This study evaluated sixteen fertilizer treatments combining poultry droppings (PD), cow dung (CD), and NPK (20:10:10) on seedling growth in a Sudan savanna environment using a Completely Randomized Design. Results revealed three distinct, treatment- specific growth strategies rather than a uniform response gradient. Treatment T13 (500 g PD + 2.5 g NPK) maximized vertical growth (81.0 cm height, 2.4 mm stem diameter) but produced narrower leaves (2.3 cm width), indicating a shade-avoidance-like elongation strategy driven by high nitrogen availability. Conversely, T14 (100 g CD + 0.5 g NPK) optimized foliar expansion (8.46 cm2 leaf area, 3.0 cm width) at the expense of height, suggesting a resource-conservation strategy favored by moderate, slow-release nutrients. Sole inorganic NPK (T9) accelerated early growth but failed to sustain late-stage structural development compared to combined treatments. These findings demonstrate that fertilizer formulation can be strategically manipulated to produce seedlings tailored for specific silvicultural objectives—timber production versus leafy vegetable cultivation. The study advances integrated nutrient management theory by quantifying morphological trade-offs and provides evidence-based protocols for producing functionally diverse Moringa planting stock in nutrient-limited tropical systems.

Keywords

Integrated nutrient management; Moringa oleifera; growth trade-offs; poultry manure; cow dung; nursery silviculture

References

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Divergent Growth Strategies in Moringa Oleifera Seedlings: Organic-Inorganic Fertilizer Synergies Drive Trade-Offs Between Vertical Elongation and Foliar Expansion

Abstract

Keywords

References

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