Biomass Production and Chemical Composition of Moringa oleifera under Different Management Regimes in Nicaragua

Abstract

The effects of different planting densities (250,000, 500,000 and 750,000 plants ha⁻¹) and cutting frequencies (45, 60 and 75 days) on the biomass production and chemical composition of Moringa oleifera was studied in a completely randomised split plot design with four blocks, in Managua, Nicaragua, located geographically at 12°08′15′′ N and 86°09′36′′ E. The 75 day cutting frequency produced the highest fresh matter yield, 100.7 and 57.4 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, and dry matter (DM) yield, 24.7 and 10.4 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, during the first and second year, respectively. All planting densities produced the highest DM yield at 75 day cutting frequency. In the first year, the density of 750,000 plants ha⁻¹ produced the highest fresh matter yield, 88.0 Mg ha⁻¹ and highest DM yield, 18.9 Mg ha⁻¹, but in the second year the density of 500,000 plants ha⁻¹ gave the highest yields, 46.2 Mg ha⁻¹ and 8.1 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. During the first year, DM (22.8%), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (30.8%) and ash (9.14%) contents were highest and in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) (68.2%) was lowest in the longest cutting interval, while contents of crude protein (CP) (22.8%) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) (22.8%) were not affected significantly by cutting frequency. In the second year, DM and CP contents and IVDMD were not significantly affected by cutting frequency, whereas NDF, ADF and ash contents were lowest in the 60 day cutting frequency. Planting density had no significant effect on chemical composition or IVDMD. These data suggest that Moringa forage could be an interesting protein supplement for ruminants.