Inorganic NPK supplementation improves biomass and quality of multicut moringa fodder

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is gaining popularity as multi-cut quality fodder in Pakistan because of its great nutritional value and biomass production. For successful quality biomass production, proper crop nutrition is vital especially during dry season. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the objective to explore the impact of variable doses of “nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)” fertilizer for maximum foliage production and improve the quality of moringa under field conditions. Three levels of NPK (No fertilizer, 25:25:50, and 50:50:100 kg ha−1) were applied in already established two years old moringa plants on 15 September 2016, at research area of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-Pakistan. Dimension of each experimental unit was 3.5 × 5.5 m. After thirty days of fertilizer treatments, two cuttings were taken with the interval of 30 days. The experimental design was RCBD with factorial arrangements having three replications. Significant differences were observed in growth, biomass production, and quality of produce. The moringa plants treated with application of 50:50:100 kg NPK ha−1 produced maximum dry biomass with good quality (crude protein, fiber, fat, and ash%) during both cuttings. Nonetheless, first cutting produced more growth and biomass as compared to second cutting. While NPK supplementation increased 50% more biomass production and better quality compared to control in second cutting. Increased biomass production of moringa was associated with high chlorophyll contents, better antioxidant, and quality (crude protein, fiber, fat, and ash%) status with NPK supplementation.