Effect of spacing and harvesting interval on the nitrogen, carbon, and crude protein contents of four Moringa species

Abstract

Moringa species are valued for their nutritional profile and potential to combat malnutrition. Plant spacing and harvesting intervals influence nutrient composition in crops. However, limited research exists on Moringa species. Understanding these factors is vital for optimizing cultivation practices. This study aimed to assess the effect of spacing and harvesting intervals on the nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and crude protein (CP) content of Four (4) Moringa species (M. peregrina, M. oleifera, M. stenopetala, and Periyakulam 1-PKM 1). A randomized complete block design with four (4) replicates was used. Four (4) plant spacing (15x15 cm, 15x20 cm, 20x20 cm, 20x30 cm) and four (4) harvesting intervals (2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks) were studied. Samples were collected, dried, grinded, and analyzed using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) International procedure. The results demonstrated significant variations in nutrient content across different spacing and harvesting intervals. The highest nitrogen content was observed at a spacing of 15x15 cm and a harvesting interval of 2 weeks for all Moringa species (M. peregrina: 44.05%, M. oleifera: 44.75%, M. stenopetala: 43.85% and PKM 1: 23.85%). Carbon content showed similar trends, with the highest values observed at the same spacing and harvesting interval (M. peregrina: 43.65%, M. oleifera: 42.35%, M. stenopetala: 44.75%, PKM 1: 22.20%). Crude protein content varied across species and was influenced by both spacing and harvesting interval with the highest CP content of 4.00% in M. oleifera at 15x20 cm plant spacing and a harvesting interval 4 weeks. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing plant spacing and selecting appropriate harvesting intervals to enhance the nutritional value of Moringa plants. These results contribute to our understanding of the influence of spacing and harvesting interval on nutrient composition in Moringa species and provide valuable insights for silvicultural practices and utilization of Moringa as a food and feed resource. Hence, spacing and harvesting intervals should be considered by the farmers to maximize the nutritional benefits of Moringa and future research should explore additional factors such as fertilization and genotype interactions.