Strategic agronomic interventions for leaf yield and quality improvement in moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) under high density planting system

M P Kavitha; R Balakumbahan; U M Maheswari; G Sidhdharth; K Nageswari; G Sudhakar; C Parameswari; M M Mohan; J Desigan

doi:10.14719/pst.5487

Authors

M P Kavitha Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vaigai Dam, Theni 625 562, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8171-4069
R Balakumbahan Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam 625 604, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0017-6834
U M Maheswari Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam 625 604, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9429-3056
G Sidhdharth Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam 625 604, India https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0092-533X
K Nageswari Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam 625 604, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6814-4233
G Sudhakar Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vaigai Dam, Theni 625 562, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7616-9548
C Parameswari Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vaigai Dam, Theni 625 562, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5512-3986
M M Mohan Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vaigai Dam, Theni 625 562, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6029-2362
J Desigan Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, V O Chidambaranar Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 628 252, India https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1836-0061

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.5487

Keywords:

economic returns, leaf yield, moringa, quality, triangle planting

Abstract

Moringa leaves are rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins, and soluble fiber, making them an ideal dietary supplement for addressing undernourishment, as well as iron and vitamin A deficiencies. The presence of high concentrations of
potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium and natural antioxidants are particularly beneficial for pregnant mothers and young children. The current study carried out in 2021 and 2022, sought to standardize crop geometry and harvesting heights to enhance leaf biomass and quality in moringa under high density planting system (HDPS). The research trial employed four different spacing configurations, incorporating single-row and double-row triangular
planting at both wider and closer spacing and included three harvesting heights. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Observations on growth parameters, physiological traits and yield characters were recorded at each harvest. Leaf quality parameters were analyzed in dried moringa leaf powder. Pooled results indicated that doublerow triangular planting with narrower intra-row spacing, combined with a 45
cm harvesting height, yielded substantially higher fresh and dried leaf yields of 42.76 t/ha and 7.83 t/ha, respectively. This treatment also produced superior leaf quality parameters, attributed to enhanced growth, physiological
responses and yield outcomes, leading to greater economic returns through enhanced fresh leaf yield.

Downloads

References

Pandey A, Pradheep K, Gupta R, Roshni Nayar E, Bhandari DC. ‘Drumstick tree’(Moringa oleifera Lam.): A multipurpose potential species in India. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2011;58:453-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-010-9629-6

Sidhdharth G, Nageswari K, Balakumbahan R, Kavitha MP, Uma Maheswari M. Interventions of plant geometry and harvesting heights on growth and leaf yield parameters in moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.). Madras Agric J. 2022;109(special):155-59.

Moyol B, Masika PJ, Hugo A, Muchenje V. Nutritional characterization of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves. Afr J Biotechnol. 2011;10(60):12925-33. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB10.1599

Sreelatha S, Padma PR. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Moringa oleifera leaves in two stages of maturity. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2009;64:303-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-009-0141-0

Yoshida S, Forno DA, Cock JH, Gomez KA. Laboratory manual for physiological studies of rice. 3rd ed. Manila: The International Rice Research Institute; 1976.

Stanford G, English L. Use of the flame photometer in rapid soil tests for K and Ca. Agron J. 1949(9):446-447. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1949.00021962004100090012x

Jackson ML. Soil chemical analysis: Advanced course: A manual of methods useful for instruction and research in soil chemistry, physical chemistry of soils, soil fertility and soil genesis. UW-Madison Libraries Parallel Press; 2005.

Jensen A. Chlorophylls and carotenoids. In: Hellebust JA, Craigie JS, editors. Handbook of phycological methods: Physiological and biochemical methods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1978. p. 59–70.

Harris LJ, Ray SN. Diagnosis of vitamin-C subnutrition by urine analysis with a note on the antiscorbutic value of human milk. Lancet.1935;228:71-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)57120-7

Chemists AoOA. Official methods of analysis of the association of official analytical chemists. Association of Official Analytical Chemists; 1931.

Panse VG, Sukhatme PV. Statistical methods for agricultural workers. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research; 1954.

Ponnuswami V, Rani EA. Organic leaf production of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) cv. PKM-1 for higher leaf yield and quality parameters under ultra high density planting system. Adv Plants Agric Res. 2019;9(1):206-14.

Bagri S, Singh J, Bhatnagar P, Khatik G, Jain SK, Meena KK. Effect of date of transplanting and crop geometry on growth and physiological attributes of capegooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.). Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci. 2018;7(10):3203-06. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.710.371

Maheswari MU, Krishnasamy SM. Effect of crop geometries and plant growth retardants on physiological growth parameters in machine sown cotton. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2019;8(2):541-45.

Maheswari M, Krishnasamy SM, Kumar M, Sakthive N. Impact of high density planting system and growth retardants on root growth and yield attributes in machine sown cotton. Pharma Innovation. 2019;8(3):123-30.

Basra SMA, Nouman W, Rehman HU, Usman M, Nazli Z-e-H. Biomass production and nutritional composition of Moringa oleifera under different cutting frequencies and planting spacings. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 2015;17(5):1055-60. https://doi.org/10.17957/IJAB/15.0076

Bhattarai P, Kaushik RA, Ameta KD, Jain HK, Kaushik MK, Sharma FL. Effect of plant geometry and fertigation on growth and yield of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicon var. cerasiforme) under zero energy polyhouse conditions. Indian J Hortic. 2015;72(2):297-301. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-0112.2015.00057.2

Nandeshwar VN, Bharad S. Effect of planting geometry and fertigation levels on growth, yield and quality of chilli. Journal of Krishi Vigyan. 2019;8(1):63-69. https://doi.org/10.5958/2349-4433.2019.00074.6

Teshale M, Tekeste N. Growth and yield response of garlic (L.) to intra-row spacing and variety at selekeleka, Northern Ethiopia. Open Biotechnol J. 2021;15(1)1-11. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874070702115010001

Abdullahi S, Maishanu HM, Mukhtar RB. Plant spacing and harvest interval effect on the growth parameters of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Periyakulam-1) in Sokoto (semi-arid environment). J Agri Horti Res. 2021;4(3):85-89. https://doi.org/10.33140/JAHR.04.03.01

Adegun M, Ayodele O. Growth and yield of Moringa oleifera as influenced by spacing and organic manures in South-Western Nigeria. Int J Agron Agric Res. 2015;6(6):30-37.

Kaushal S, Sharma V, Singh V. To study the impact of date of transplanting, spacing and training systems on developmental stages and dry matter accumulation in tomato production under protected conditions. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2019;8(3):4019-23.

EL MORSY M. Influence of cutting height and plant spacing on Sesbania (Sesbania aegyptiaca [Poir]) productivity under hyper-arid conditions in El-kharga Oasis, El-Wadi El-Gaded, Egypt. Int J Plant Prod.2009;3(2):77-84. https://doi.org/10.22069/ijpp.2012.643

Mukangango M, Nduwamungu J, Naramabuye FX, Nyberg G, Dahlin AS. Biomass production and nutrient content of three agroforestry tree species growing on an acid Anthropic Ferralsol under recurrent harvesting at different cutting heights. Agroforest Syst. 2020;94:857-67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00455-8

Meena SS, Meena R, Mehta R, Kakani R. Effect of crop geometry, fertilizer levels and genotypes on growth and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Legume Res. 2016;39(5):792-96. https://doi.org/10.18805/lr.v0iOF.11247

Jaffar Basha S, Basavarajappa R, Babalad H. Crop performance and water use efficiency in aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) relative to irrigation schedule, planting geometry and method of planting in Northern transition zone of Karnataka, India. Paddy Water Environ. 2017;15:291-98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-016-0548-9