The Effect of Provenance, Plant Spacing and Cutting Interval on Leaf Biomass Yield of Moringa Oleifera Lam.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Two provenances of Moringa oleifera Lam., Malawi and Mutoko, were evaluated to determine the effect of plant spacing and cutting interval on the leaf biomass yield for fodder production. A split-split plot experimental design was set up with provenance as the main plot factor, plant spacing as sub-plot factor and cutting interval as sub-sub plot factor. The provenances were tested at two plant spacings of 15 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 20 cm, and two cutting intervals of 60 days and 75 days. Results showed that 90 days after planting, at 20 cm × 20 cm spacing, Malawi provenance plants had a higher (P < 0.05) leaf dry matter yield than Mutoko plants. A cutting interval of 60 days had a higher (P < 0.05) leaf dry matter yield for the two provenances than a 75 day cutting interval. Both provenances can be recommended for agroforestry because their leaf biomass yields were not significantly different at all subsequent cutting intervals of 60 and 75 days.