To evaluate the physiological potential of the seeds, the tetrazolium test would be an interesting alternative, as it is a quick test that provides a detailed analysis of viability and vigor. Therefore, it is necessary to define pre-conditioning conditions, such as temperature and duration of soaking, concentration of the tetrazolium solution, and method of exposing the seeds to staining. Moringa oleifera Lam., belonging to the family Moringaceae, is widely distributed in tropical countries and easily adapted to semi-arid conditions, possessing medicinal value, as forage, condiment, in the cosmetics industry, melliferous, fuel, and in water purification treatment through the coagulant solution made from seeds. Based on the above, the objectives of the present work were to establish the most appropriate procedure for conducting the tetrazolium test to evaluate the viability and vigor of M. oleifera seeds. Only the cotyledons containing the embryo were placed in 50 mL plastic cups and immersed in a solution of 2,3,5-triphenyl chloride tetrazolium salt at concentrations of 0.05; 0.075 and 0.1% for staining periods of 1, 2, and 3 hours in a Biochemical Oxygen Demand chamber at 30 ºC in the dark. The seeds were evaluated one by one for tissue condition (firm or flaccid) and seed color, and by the location and size of the lesions on the cotyledon and embryonic axis. For the standardization of the tetrazolium test, the Completely Randomized Design was used in a 3x3+1 factorial scheme (three concentrations of tetrazolium solution x three staining periods + control = germination test) with four repetitions of 25 seeds. M. oleifera seeds were found to have a high germination rate (100%), there was no significant difference between the control and the percentage of viable seeds (TZ) for the 2 and 3 hours staining periods, immersed in tetrazolium solution at concentrations of 0.075 (96%) and 0.05% (99%), respectively. The most appropriate procedure for conducting the tetrazolium test to assess the viability and vigor of M. oleifera seeds is to use a concentration of 0.05% for 3 hours of salt immersion

Phenology works as an indicator of the response of plants to local climatic and edaphic conditions, enabling a better understanding of the dynamics of the species. The seasonal climate also influences the occurrence of periodic rhythms of growth and reproduction (phenophases). Moringa oleifera Lam., belong to the Moringaceae family, is widely distributed in tropical countries and easily adapts to semiarid conditions, having medicinal value as a forage, flavoring, in the cosmetics, honey, fuel and in the treatment of water purification through the coagulant solution made from the seeds. The objectives of the present work were to study the phenological behavior of M. oleifera and to relate the variations in phenophases with climatic factors, precipitation and temperature. For collection of phenological data, ten trees were selected, and the records were carried out between the first half of August 2020 and the first half of July 2021. The observations were carried out at fortnightly intervals, recording the presence and absence of the flowering and fruiting phenophases including flowering – period in which the tree is in full flowering; fructification – which starts from the moment that small fruits are visible after the fertilization of the flowers and ends with the dispersal of seeds. The Fournier intensity index was determined using a semiquantitative interval scale of five categories (0 to 4), with an interval of 25% between each category. The phenological data of intensity of each phenophase (flowering and fruiting) were related to precipitation and average temperature fortnightly using Spearman's correlation. The flowering and fruiting phenophases of M. oleifera intensified in August, September and December 2020, showing Fournier intensity peaks of 47.5 and 77.5, 72.5 and 92.5, and 35 and 55 %, respectively, and April and June 2021, in the monthly intervals of greater rainfall, with percentage rates of 82.5 and 95, 77.5 and 80%, respectively. In general, we found that M. oleifera produced seeds between the first half of August and the first half of September, and the second half of December 2020, and the second half of April and the first half of June 2021. Thus, it can be stated that the production of fruits by M. oleifera is interrupted in the months with less rainfall (October to November 2020, and January to February 2021). The intensity and duration of the flowering and fruiting phenophases in M. oleifera are synchronized with the temporal distribution of the precipitation pulses in that habitat

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