Biomass yield and crude protein quality of Moringa Oleifera Lam. under spacing and field conditions in Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

The sustainability of livestock production by smallholder farmers in Kilifi County has been threatened by climatic stresses, the low quality of fodder and high prices of commercial feed. There is a need 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, a study aimed at establishing the most appropriate plant spacing that could result in maximum biomass productivity and crude protein level in Moringa oleifera under experimental field conditions was carried out. Data were collected through a randomized complete block design experimental set-up containing six main plots. Three plant spacings (1m x 1m), (0.5m x 0.5m) and (0.25m x 0.25m) with harvesting heights of 70cm, 100cm and 150cm were randomized in plots. ANOVA and a post-hoc analyses were carried out to test the set hypotheses. The results obtained indicated that within 8 weeks after sowing, plant height increased steadily reaching mean heights of 57.40 ±24.51cm, 66.88 ±28.52cm, 86.24 ±39.69cm for the 1m x 1m, 0.5m x 0.5m and 0.25m x0.25m spacings respectively. There was a significant variation (F (2, 14) = 15.82, p = 0.002) between the means for plant height. Similarly, the mean root collar diameters during the same period reached 7.79 ±2.13mm, 6.09 ±1.61mm, 4.82 ±0.96mm for the 1mx1m, 0.5mx0.5m and 0.25mx0.25m spacings respectively. There was a significant variation (F (2, 14) = 25.93, P = 0.000) between the means as affected by plant spacing. Plants spaced at 0.25m x 0.25m revealed a significantly higher (F (2, 8) =530.96, p=0.000) mean number of branches (9.96±0.48) produced per plant compared to the mean number of branches of plants spaced at 0.5m x 0.5m (10.94±0.60) and 1m x 1m (15.59±0.39). Plants spaced at 0.25m x 0.25m also showed a significantly higher mean foliage fresh weight (331.97±22.93) g compared to the mean foliage fresh weight of plants spaced at 0.5m x 0.5m (80.35±6.74) g and 1m x 1m (35.47±3.01) g. There was a significant difference (F (2, 8) = 396.13, p= 0.000) between the means for the foliage fresh weight. The crude protein content did not vary significantly (F (2, 161) = 0.117, p=0.3) as affected by the plant spacing but the highest mean crude protein content of 24.23±2.94 was recorded in the plants spaced at the wider spacing (1m x 1m) and the least mean crude protein content of 22.94±3.60 recorded in the plants spaced at the narrowest plant spacing (0.25m x 0.25m). The highest mean crude protein content for individual plants 25.43±3.84 was recorded in the highest harvesting height (150cm) and the least crude protein content of 22.06±2.70 recorded in the lowest harvesting height (70cm). The mean crude protein content for plant harvest height varied significantly F (2, 161) = 9.08, p=0.0001). It can be concluded that under field conditions Moringa oleifera can maintain rich amounts of crude protein contents, making it a potentially valuable source of feed supplement at times when there is shortage of natural fodder. The 0.5m x 0.5m spacing which enhanced adequate biomass while enabling easier movements and farm management is highly proposed as the best for production and sustainability of Moringa oleifera under field conditions. Key words: Agroforestry, agronomic practices, Fodder, livestock feed, nutritional value, Moringa oleifera, plant spacing