Comparative Germination of Moringa peregrina and Moringa stenopetala under NaCl Stress: Screening Evidence and Implications for Agroforestry in Arid Algeria

Abstract

This study conducted a comparative analysis of the germination strategies of Moringa peregrina and Moringa stenopetala under varying salinity stress levels (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% NaCl) to evaluate their potential for agroforestry in arid regions of Algeria. Salinity significantly affected all germination parameters, including germination rate, speed, mean germination time, vigor index, and stress tolerance index (p < 0.001). M. peregrina demonstrated higher tolerance, maintaining viable germination up to 8% NaCl, whereas M. stenopetala experienced complete inhibition beyond 4% NaCl. Germination kinetics exhibited a sigmoidal pattern, characterized by a delayed onset and reduced final percentages under stress conditions. Principal component analysis indicated that M. peregrina displayed enhanced resilience, whereas M. stenopetala showed increased sensitivity to high salinity. These findings suggest that M. peregrina is more suitable for cultivation in saline-prone arid regions, whereas M. stenopetala requires additional strategies to mitigate salinity stress.