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Study on Biomass Yield of Moringa Oleifera Using Different Level of Fertilizer

S. M. J. Hossain
Animal Production Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

M.N. Islam
Animal Production Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Lokman Ahmed
Additional Director & Deputy Security
Suport Service Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted with an attempt "to estimate the biomass yield of Moringa oleifera using different level of fertilizers". For this purpose a total of 10 acres of land was selected from fodder plot of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute. Bushes of land were cleaned, and tilling and leveling were done with the help of tractor and weeding was done manually. In April 2013, moringa seeds were sown in 2 cm deep holes. After 2 months of growth, the stand was thinned and only healthy plant was kept. The plot was divided into four equal parts and were marked as A, B, C and D. Plot A, B and C were considered as treatment group and plot D was considered as control group. No chemical fertilizer was used in plot 'D' but only cow dung was applied at the rate of 30 ton per acre. In plot 'A' (high fertilizer treatment) urea, TSP and MP were applied at the rate of 100, 50 and 25kg/acre; in plot 'B' (medium fertilizer treatment) urea, TSP and MP were applied at the rate of 75, 37.5 and l8.75kg/acre; and in plot 'C' (low fertilizer treatment) urea, TSP and MP were applied at the rate of 50, 25 and 12.5kg/acre. Each plot was demarcated keeping 3 feet space around all the plots. The row-to-row space was 3.5 feet and tree to tree was 1.75 feet. At this rate there were 7000 trees in one acre of land. From each group trees of 0,01 acre of land was selected for data collection. At the start of the study, in April 2014, the whole plantation was uniformly cut to a height of 30 cm above the ground and all foliage was removed but not weighed, In the treatment group 50% of urea and 100% other fertilizes were applied after 7 days of cutting Moringa tree. After 30 days the rest 50% urea were applied. Irrigation and weeding were done at 15 days interval in all the plots. At 45 days the re-growth of 50% trees of each group and 60 days re-growth of the rest 50% trees were harvested and leaf, twig and stem weight were recorded. At 45 days harvest the leaf weight was found significantly higher (p<0.05) for group 'C' (1.90±0.34 ton) and stem weight for treatment group 'B' (1.49±0.25 ton) at 0.p<0.01 significance level. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed for twig weight. However, at 45 days harvest, total biomass yield was found to be the highest (4.52±0.84) for group 'C' followed by group 'B' (4.18±0.65), group 'A' and was the lowest (2.11±0,34) for treatment group 'D' with an average of (3.55±0.32) ton/acre/cutting which did not differ significantly (p>0.05) among the groups. At 60 days harvest the leaf, twig and stem weight were found significantly (p<0.01) higher for group 'C' (3.62±0.48, 2.24±.0.35 and 3.81±0.68) ton/acre/cutting. At 60 days harvest, the total biomass yield was observed to be the highest (9.67± 1.48) for group 'C' followed by group 'A' (7.52±0.74), group 'B' (4.18±0.65) and was the lowest (3.85±0.36) ton/acre/cutting for treatment group 'D' and it differed significantly (p<0.001). From the above findings, it is concluded that low fertilizer dose is suitable for optimum production of Moringa oleifera during summer at both 45 and 60 days harvest.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Biomass yield, Fertilizer

Location: Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Bio fertilizer, Drumstick

Objectives:

To estimate the biomass yield of Moringa oleifera using different level of fertilizers.

Methodology:

The study was conducted at the Research Farm of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRl) located at Savar, an upazila of district of Dhaka which belongs to AEZ-28 of Bangladesh. It is located at a distance of about 28 km to the northwest of Dhaka city. It lies between 23.8583° North latitude to 90.2667º East longitude. It has a distinct monsoon season, with an average annual temperature of 25°C (71F) and monthly means varying between 18°C (64.4°F) in January and 32°C (71°F) in May. Approximately 87% of the annual average rainfall of 2, 123 millimeters (83.5 inch) occurs between, May and October. The land of the Savar upazila is composed of alluvium soil of the Pleistocene period. For this study a total of 10 acres of land was selected. Bushes of land were cleaned and tilled and leveled. Tilling and leveling were done with the help of tractor and weeding was done again. Untreated seeds of Moringa were used for propagation. In April 2013, seeds were sown in 2 cm deep holes. The row to row space was 3.5 feet and tree to tree was 1.75 feet. At this rate there were 7000 trees in one acre of land. The experimental plots were divided into four plots. Each plot was demarcated keeping 3 feet space around all the plots. After 2 months of growth, the stand was thinned and only healthy plant was kept. The plots were marked as A, B, C and D. Plot A, B and C were considered as treatment group and plot D was considered as control group. From each group trees of one decimal was selected for data collection. At the start of the study, in April 2014, the whole plantation was uniformly cut to a height of 30 cm above the ground and all foliage was removed but not weighed. No chemical fertilizer was used in plot 'D' but only cowdung was applied at the rate of 30 ton per acre. In plot' A' (high fertilizer treatment) urea, TSP and MP were applied at the rate of 100, 50 and 25 Kg/acre; in plot 'B' (medium fertilizer treatment) urea, TSP and MP were applied at the rate of 75, 37.5 and 18.75Kg/acre; and in pot 'C' (low fertilizer treatment) urea, TSP and MP were applied at the rate of 50, 25 and 12.5Kg/acre. In the treatment group 50% of urea and 100% other fertilizes were applied after 7 days of cutting Meringa tree. After 30 days the rest 50% urea were applied. Irrigation and weeding were done at 15 days interval in all the plots. The regrowth of 50% trees of each group was harvested at 45 days on May 12,2014 and the rest 50% were harvested on May 27, 2014 at 60 days. The regrowth was harvested at 50 cm height above the ground using machete. The harvested leaf, twig and stem from each plot were weighed and recorded accordingly to estimate fresh yield. The recorded data were analyzed using General Linear Model of computer package SPSS 16.

Source of Information: Proceedings of the Annual Research Review Workshop 2013-2014, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka. Publication No.261, pp: 183-192, October-2015.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Effect of different doses of fertilizers on biomass yield of Moringa oleifera in respect of leaf weight, twig weight and stem weight at both 45 days and 60 days of harvest age were found highest with low level of fertilizer doses (urea, TSP and MP at the rate of 50, 25 and 12.5Kg/acre) in summer. It is necessary to estimate biomass yield of Moringa oleifera with different level of fertilizer at least from four harvest age.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings