Activity 1: Production performance and biomass yield of Moringa spp. as fodder crops
Methodology
An experimental plot of 2100 cm x 300 cm was used to cultivate moringa for the determination of biomass yield. The plot was divided into three equal unit having specific number of moringa plants and harvested at three different cutting intervals (40, 50 and 60 days). In a harvesting day, one unit of land (900 cm x300 cm) containing 54 plants were divided into 3 sections for harvesting the plants in three different cutting heights (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 feet). The following experimental design, 3x3 factorial, was followed for the study;
The soil samples were tested for nutrient analysis (N, P, K) from Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). After testing the soil nutrient content recommended dose of nutrient was applied in the experimental plots.
Activity 2: Taxonomical identification of Moringa spp. at BLRI and other moringa species available in northern Bangladesh.
Methodology
Herbarium sheets were made using moringa samples available at BLRI (seed, flower, leaf, twig, root etc) for identifying the species of Moringa. Moringa samples were collected from different selected northern regions (Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Bogra, Panba and Jessore) of Bangladesh for making herbarium sheets. Finally, M. oleifera species was identified among other available moringa varieties with the help of National Herbarium, Dhaka
Activity 3: Determination of bioactive components in Moringa spp.
Methodology
A through literature review was done to develop protocol for analyzing the bioactive components to use as livestock and poultry feed. Amino acids profile was determined by the Nutrition lab of Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Farmgate, and Dhaka. The proximate components were analyzed at Nutrition Lab, under Animal Production Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Savar, Dhaka