The growth and yield of Moringa oleifera Lam. as affected by plant spacing and cutting interval

Abstract

Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) is a multipurpose plant with high nutritional composition and for its use in bioactive compounds. A field study was carried out to investigate the the growth and of Moringa as affected by different plant spacing and cutting interval. The study was carried out in research field of the Laboratory of Ecology and Plant Production, Agriculture Department, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences Diponegoro University, Semarang. A split- plot experimental design was set up with plant spacing as main plot factor and cutting interval as sub plot factor. The Moringa plants were observed at three plant spacings: 50 cm x 10 cm; 40 cm x 12,5 cm; and 20 cm x 25 cm, and cutting intervals (60 and 90 day after planting (dap), with three times replications. Parameters evaluated were plant height, stem diameter, fresh matter yield and dry matter yield. Separately, plant spacing and cutting interval significantly affected the plant height, stem diameter, fresh matter yield and dry matter yield. There were no interaction result between those two treatments on parameters observed. In conclusion, for gaining maximum growth and yield production, moringa should be established as food and fodder purpose at plant spacing of (20 cm 25 cm) with optimum cutting interval of 90 dap.