Anti-plasmodial Property Of Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract On Swiss Mice

2.4.2 Socio-Economic Importance of Moringa oleifera
Studies from around the World illustrate how wild resources often form an integral part of livelihood. Wild resources provide materials for utensils and construction, and contribute to improved diets and health, food security, income generation, and genetic experimentation (Scoones et al., 1992).
Moringa oleifera is one of the most useful tropical trees. The relative ease with which it propagates through both sexual and asexual means and its low demand for soil nutrients and water makes its production and management easy. Introduction of this plant into a farm which has a bio diverse environment can be beneficial for both the owner of the farm and the surrounding eco-system (Foidl et al., 2001). In India, economic analysis has illustrated that cultivation of Moringa oleifera can be very profitable for farmers with access to urban markets (Sherkar, 1993).
2.4.3 Ecology and Cultivation
Moringa oleifera is a drought-resistant species mainly growing in semi-arid tropical and subtropical areas. It is found up to 1000 m altitude and in areas with annual rainfall of 750 - 2,250 mm. While it grows best in dry sandy soil, it is adaptable to various soil conditions from pH 4.5 to 8 (Rashid et al., 2008). The tree is also known for its resistance to drought and diseases and has been found to grow 6-7m in one year in areas receiving less than 400 mm mean annual rainfall (Odee, 1998). A plant in cultivation starts bearing pods 6–8 months after planting while regular bearing commences after the second year. The tree can bear for several years (Duke, 1983).
2.4.4 Cultivation and Production
Moringa oleifera development is achieved in two main ways: sowing and cutting. Traditionally in Sudan the seed are preferred while vegetative propagation is common in India, Indonesia and in some areas of West Africa (Palada, 2006).
Sowing requires selection of the seed, when they are easily available and human labor is limited, while the possibility to transplant seedlings allows flexibility in field planting even if it requires extra labor and costs. Seed germinate within two weeks, at a maximum 2 cm depth. When sowing is planned in nursery, the seedlings can be transplanted when they reach about 30 cm (3–6 weeks after germination) (Ojiako et al., 2011).
The number of seed per kilogram ranges from 3000 to 9000, depending on the variety, with a germination rate of 80%–90% for ideal storage conditions (3°C, 5%–8% moisture). However, the viability decreases if seed remain at ambient temperature and high relative humidity, their germination rate dropping to 7.5% after three months (Morton, 2006).
Cutting is preferred when seed availability is scarce and/or when labor is not a limiting factor. Ramachandran et al. (2000) reports that plants raised from seed produce fruits of poorer quality, while Animashaun et al. (2013) suggest that trees grown from seed develop longer roots (an advantage for stabilization and access to water) compare to that grown from cuttings that have much shorter roots. When hard woodcuttings (1–2 m long 4–16 cm diameter (Palada, 2006; Jahn  et al., 2008) from adult trees are planted during the rainy season burying one third in the soil, they readily develop roots that in few months reach a considerable size (Jahn  et al., 2008)). Moringa oleifera is an exceptionally fast growing tree, in three months it can be 3 m high and in few years reaches 12 m if it is left to growth naturally. Since the tree vigorously re-sprouts after cutting, pruning or pollarding are usually practiced to enhance lateral branching and give the tree a bush shape in order to facilitate the harvest. Nevertheless, since literature reports about the good practice management of Moringa oleifera are scant, practical trials are needed (Ojiako et al., 2011).