Assessment of yield and quality of moringa (Moringa oleifera) as a perennial forage crop under varying sowing patterns and cutting heights

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at ICAR-CIRG, Makhdoom, from 2021 to 2023, to study the effects of sowing patterns and cutting heights on the green fodder yield, nutrient uptake, and production cost of forage moringa. The experiment consisted of three sowing patterns (30×15 cm, 45×15 cm and 60×15 cm) and four cutting heights (15, 30, 45 and 60 cm) in a split-plot design with three replications. Results showed that sowing at 30×15 cm produced the highest green fodder yield (209.57 kg ha-¹), crude protein, nutrient uptake, net returns (Rs 244,056 ha-¹) and B:C ratio (2.39), with the lowest production cost (Rs 0.84 kg-¹). Harvesting of moringa at 30 cm height from the ground yielded the highest fodder (199.12 kg ha-¹), net returns (Rs 238,763 ha-¹), and B:C ratio (2.49) with the lowest cost (Rs 0.81 kg-¹). However, cutting height had no significant effect on nutrient content, uptake, or crude protein content.