Moringa plant is a fast-growing, deeply rooted plant which is very easy to cultivate. It is considered as the most suitable crop for tropical to sub-tropical regions. It is a drought-resistant tree and therefore suitable for growing even in semi-arid areas where water table is less. An established Moringa plant is a hardy crop which needs little care. Moringa plant is a woody perennial but can be grown as an annual plant for vegetable purposes in the backyards of houses, orchards and home gardens.
In fact, growing moringa as an annual plant is recommended for vegetable purposes because in the first year itself the plants produce edible pods which are of high quality. Also, a good harvest, up to two harvests, can be achieved in the first year itself. Later years, the plant tends to bear somewhat bitter pods also. Another advantage of growing Moringa as an annual plant is that the tree is less likely to be susceptible to pests and diseases.
Perennial cultivation of Moringa plants is recommended if the purpose of growing is agro-forestry, silviculture, live fencing or any other commercial purposes such as oil production and livestock fodder. A perennial moringa plantation lasts up to 20 years.
Climatic Requirements
Being a native of tropical climate, Moringa prefers hot and humid climate; however thrives well both in subtropical and semi-arid climates. Annual rainfall requirement ranges between 250 and 1500 mm; however the plant is well adapted to even wet climate where annual rainfall is in excess of 3000 mm. Annual temperature requirement ranges between 18.7 and 28.5°C. The plant may tolerate mild frost but does not tolerate severe freeze or frost. Because of its extensively developed tap root system, the plant is suitable for growing in dry regions also but productivity will be less under water stress. It grows at an altitude up to 0 – 2000 meters from MSL (mean sea level).
Soil Requirements
The plant can be grown in a wide range of soils; however Moringa grows best in well-drained sandy or sandy loam soil. The plant tolerates both poor soils and heavy clay soils where waterlogging is avoided. Ideal soil pH is between 4.5 and 8. However, Moringa plant may tolerate slightly alkaline soils having pH up to 9.
Propagation
The plant can be propagated from either seeds or softwood cuttings. Direct seeding is possible because germination rate of Moringa oleifera is high. Seeds germinate within one or two weeks of sowing. Pre-treatment of seeds is not necessary as seed viability is very high in case of fresh moringa seeds. Fresh seeds have viability up to 80 percent while one-year old seeds have a viability of less than 50 percent. Therefore sowing of fresh seeds is recommended in case of seed-propagated plants. If seeds are sown in nursery beds, transplanting of seedlings should be done 2 or 3 months after sowing. Best time for sowing seeds is rainy season or wet season when soil is wet.
If sowing is done during dry months, it is necessary to ensure that soil is wet. Partial shade needs to be given to the growing seedlings to protect them from the direct sun. Regular watering and keeping the soil moist is essential until the seedlings get established in the field.
If cuttings are used for propagation, cuttings of 1 – 1.5 meter length and a diameter of at least 4 cm are the most ideal choices as such cuttings will take roots within months of planting. In India, Srilanka, Philippines and other Asian countries, the plant is propagated by planting softwood cuttings of 1–2 meters long, from June (onset of monsoon) to August.
Spacing
In the open fields, established cuttings or seedlings are spaced at 15 x 15 cm or 20 x 10 cm for intensive leaf production. In direct seeding, rows are spaced at 30-45 cm apart and seeds are sown every 5cm or 10 cm on those rows at a depth of 1 centimeter. In a semi-intensive production, a spacing of 50 centimeter to 1 meter between plants is recommended. In agro forestry, plants are spaced at 2 to 4 meters apart.
Irrigation
Watering is done depending on the prevailing climate. Seedlings and/or cuttings require regular watering until they get established in the field. Established plants may not require regular watering.
Fertilizer Application
Regular fertilizer application may not be necessary for Moringa cultivation. However application of any of the organic manures such as compost or farm yard manure prior to the rainy season is found to increase yields considerably.
Harvesting
The plant starts bearing fruits 6–8 months after planting. In perennial cultivation, the tree bears for several years. In India, Srilanka and other Asian countries, flowering and fruiting peaks between March and April and again in September and October; hence up to two harvests per year is possible. Seeds are gathered in March and April for oil extraction. Moringa harvest is done manually with sharp knives or sickles. If trees are tall, stabs or long rods with hooks attached to it are used for harvesting.
Pruning
Moringa plants need regular pruning in commercial cultivation; otherwise plants grow tall and lanky. Plants are often cut back annually to 1–2 meters after every harvest. Annual pruning following harvesting is recommended to promote branching and fruit production, to facilitate harvesting, and to keep the plant in shape.
Yield
The yields vary widely, depending on season, cultivar, fertilizer application, irrigation and overall cultural management practices.
Yield of Pods
In perennial cultivation, normally a yield of 10 tons of pods per hectare is obtained under good cultural practices. Yield is generally low during the first year. By second year, a single tree may produce around 300 pods, and by third year around 400-500 pods per tree is obtained. A good tree can yield up to 1000 or more pods per year.
In India, under good cultural management and intensive cultivation techniques, a hectare of Moringa plantation may produce up to 20-30 tons of pods per year.
Yield of Fresh Leaves
The leaves and stems can be harvested from the young plants 60 days after seeding and then another 5-7 times in the year. At every harvest the plants are cut back to within 60 cm of the ground. In intensive leaf production systems, with irrigation and fertilizer application and with suitable varieties, the leaves are harvested every 2 weeks.
Yield of Seeds and Seed Oil
With regard to seed production, it is estimated that up to 3.0 tons of seeds per hectare may be obtained under good cultivation practices. One estimate for yield of oil from seed kernels is approx. 250 liters per hectare.
Insect Pest Management
Moringa plant is not easily susceptible to any serious insect-pest attack. However, sometimes under improper cultural management practices, the tree may become susceptible to pest attack. A list of major insects and pests of moringa plant and their control measures is given below:
- Hairy Caterpillar (Eupterote molifera)-Defoliation
- Aphids (Aphis caraccivera)-Cause damages to leaves and fruits
- Scale Insects (Ceroplastodes cajani)-Cause damages to leaves, stems and fruits
- Stem Borer (Diaxenopsis apomecynoides)-Cause damages to stems and branches
- Fruit Fly (Glitonia spp.)-Infest fruits which leads to drying and rottening of fruits
- Caterpillars: Bark-Eating Caterpillar or Green Leaf Caterpillar (Tetragonia siva, Metanastia hyrtaca and Heliothis armigera)-Cause damages to leaves and bark
- Budworms (Noctuidae spp.)-Defoliation
- Termites–Cause minor damages to roots and trunk
- Weevils (Myllocerus discolor var. variegatus, M. 11-pustulatus, M. tenuiclavis, M. viridanus and Ptochus ovulum)-Attack leaves of young plants
Control Measure
Spraying with a recommended insecticide
Disease Management
Moringa plant is not easily susceptible to any serious diseases. However sometimes under improper cultural management practices the tree may be affected by some fungal infections. A list of major fungal diseases and their control measures is given below:
- Root Rot –Diplodia sp.
- Powdery Mildew-Leveillula taurica
- Leaf Spot-Cercospora moringicola
- Spot Anthracnose-Sphaceloma morindae
- Rust-Puccinia moringae
Control Measure
Most of these diseases can be controlled by proper cultural management.
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