Biomass production and nutritional quality of Moringa oleifera as a field crop

Authors : Wasif NOUMAN, Muhammad Tahir SIDDIQUI, Shahzad Maqsood Ahmed BASRA

Pages : 410-419

Doi:10.3906/sag-1301-61

View : 21 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2013-08-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Dairy and meat production are very complex in dry regions due to shortages and the low quality of fodder, especially in dry months. Livestock scientists are enthusiastic to explore and investigate good quality fodder that can boost milk and meat production in an economical way. Moringa oleifera is known as one of the best fodder crops for dry regions with scanty amounts of water. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the potential of Moringa oleifera as a field crop by harvesting at different cutting heights insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(30, 90, and 150 cm);. The nutritional quality insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(minerals like P, K, Ca, and Mg, and crude protein); was determined along with antioxidant insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SOD, CAT, POD, total phenolic contents); activities. The findings show that a Moringa crop gave maximum biomass insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(472 g plant-1); with higher mineral content in its leaves when harvested at 30-cm cutting height in August, while the minimum biomass insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(113.54 g plant-1); was recorded when plants were harvested at 150-cm cutting height. Higher antioxidants, total phenolics content, and photosynthetic pigments were recorded in the hot rainy season insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(July and August);. The seasonal variability affects mineral content in moringa leaves. The highest mineral content was found in August, followed by July. It is concluded that the moringa tree, due to its higher mineral content and antioxidant activities, can be cultivated as a field crop as a good alternate for livestock fodder.
Keywords : Key words Antioxidant, cutting levels, minerals, total phenolic contents, pigments