ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of Trichoderma Treated seed and Trichoderm Treated soil using varying watering frequencies on the growth and development of Moringa oleifera seedlings. Moringa, a highly valued multipurpose tree, known for its rich nutritional and medicinal value. Trichoderma spp, is a beneficial soil fungus recognized for its role in enhancing plant growth and root health. The study was carried out at the screen house in the experimental farm of the Department of Crop Science University of Benin, Benin City in March 2023 to July 2023, using Complete Randomized Design (CRD) in a factorial experiment involving four (4) treatment (Treated soil + Treated seed, Untreated soil +Treated seed, Treated soil + Untreated soil, Untreated seeds +Untreated seeds) and four (4) watering regimes (Daily,3days, 5days, 7days) and was replicated three (3) times. The Trichoderma used in the study was isolated from a soil samples obtained from a farm at Sapele road using serial dilution techniques (Rao, 2003). Data were collected on the soil physical and chemical properties, plant morphological properties such as number of leaves, plant height, root length, collar girth and also day to emergence of seedlings as well as yield properties of seedlings; fresh weight and dry weight. Result shows that there were significant difference in Soil – Seed treatment with Untreated seed and Untreated soil producing the highest value in collar girth(2.892cm), plant height (132.8 cm),root length (9.325cm) and Dry weight (7.865cm), and daily watering regime producing the highest mean value in collar girth (3.617cm), plant height (152.2cm),Number of leaves (392.1),Root length (9.267cm),and Dry weight (9.600cm) of seedlings.
