Agronomic Traits and Leaves Nutritional Content Variation of Indonesian Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.)

Abstract

Many scientific reports have stated that the growth and production of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves, both in quantity and quality, are influenced by genotype factors. This study aimed to identify some agronomic traits and nutritional content variations of Moringa from several locations/accessions in Indonesia. The seeds of 4 accessions of Moringa, namely, Cibinong (C), Sumenep (S), Palu (P), and Jayapura (J), were planted at the same location in Cibinong, West Java. This experiment was arranged in Complete Randomized Block Design with three replications (blocks). Each accession was planted in five beds with 18 plants per bed (a total of 90 plants in each accession per block). Five plants in the center of the bed were determined as observed samples for each accession. The agronomic traits observed were plant growth (plant height, stem diameter, canopy diameter, compound leaves length and width, leaflets number and area) and leaves production (dry leaflet weight). The nutritional content observed was carbohydrates, protein, fat, ash, and calcium. The results showed that the Cibinong accession had the highest growth and leaves production quantity but was the lowest in quality based on mineral content (calcium and ash). Sumenep and Palu were superior in nutritional content but inferior in agronomic traits. In contrast, Jayapura was superior in both agronomic characteristics and nutritional content. This result can be used as a base for the Moringa breeding program to create a new superior variety.