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Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. pterygosperma Gaertn [Moringaceae]) is a fast-growing small tree native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of Northern India. The recognition that moringa oil has value in cosmetics has increased interest in cultivating it for seed-oil. The experimental trials were conducted in a semi-commercial moringa plantation in the subtropical northwestern region of Argentina, considering the similar climate conditions to the plant native region. Pods per tree, seeds per pod, weight of seed per pod, kernel weight, kernels oil content and fatty acid composition of PKM-1 and African cultivars were determined. One individual, E(4)-9, a PKM-1 plant, had significantly (P<0.05) higher production than all other plants. In addition, this individual was the highest extrapolated oil producer in both 2003 and 2004, with 595 and 564 kg ha(-1), respectively (ave. 580 kg ha(-1)). Seed weight (200-seed wt.) was significantly greater in 2003 than 2004; no other traits studied showed significant differences between years. Both cultivars produced-oil with practically identical fatty acid composition, and the monounsaturated omega-9 oleic fatty acid accounted for more than 70% of the total for both cultivars. The polyunsaturated omega-6 linoleic fatty acid content of the African cultivar was slightly, but significantly (P<0.05), higher than that of PKM-1. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.