Work

Assessment of yield and quality of moringa (Moringa oleifera) as a perennial forage crop under varying sowing patterns and cutting heights

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: An experiment was conducted at ICAR-CIRG, Makhdoom, from 2021 to 2023, to study the effects of sowing patterns and cutting heights on the green fodder yield, nutrient uptake, and production cost of forage moringa. The experiment consisted of three sowing patterns (30×15 cm, 45×15 cm and 60×15 cm) and four cutting heights (15, 30, 45 and 60 cm) in a split-plot design with three replications. Results showed that sowing at 30×15 cm produced the highest green fodder yield (209.57 kg ha-¹), crude protein, nutrient uptake, net returns (Rs 244,056 ha-¹) and B:C ratio (2.39), with the lowest production cost (Rs 0.84 kg-¹). Harvesting of moringa at 30 cm height from the ground yielded the highest fodder (199.12 kg ha-¹), net returns (Rs 238,763 ha-¹), and B:C ratio (2.49) with the lowest cost (Rs 0.81 kg-¹). However, cutting height had no significant effect on nutrient content, uptake, or crude protein content.

Source: Range Management and Agroforestry

DOI: 10.59515/rma.2025.v46.i1.25

Authors: Mohd. Arif, Ravindra Kumar, Arvind Kumar

Institution: Central Institute for Research on Goats

Language: English

Topic: Moringa oleifera research and applications

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Indian Council of Agricultural Research