Abstract

RUIZ-HERNANDEZ, Rafael et al. Pruning effect on biomass and protein production in Moringa oleifera Lam. in the central area of Veracruz. Biotecnia [online]. 2021, vol.23, n.2, pp.161-170.  Epub Sep 05, 2022. ISSN 1665-1456.  https://doi.org/10.18633/biotecnia.v23i2.1363.

Moringa oleifera is a species with great nutritional importance. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of pruning in moringa biomass production and protein content. Three-year-old plants were selected according to the similarity between height and basal diameter. The experimental design consisted on three treatments and four repetitions. The treatments were pruned at 0.75 (T1), 1.00 (T2) and 1.50 m (T3) in height. The variables measured were shoot length, number of shoots, number of leaves and biomass production at four months. In parallel, moisture, ash and protein content in leaves were determined. Statistical differences (Tukey, p <0.05) were found in the shoots growth and survival, being the treatments 1.00 m and 0.75 m of greater height for the first and second pruning. The T3 presented 83.31 % humidity, 16.85 % protein and 12.3 % ash in the first pruning. No statistical differences (Tukey, p> 0.05) were found in biomass production, nor in leaf protein content. It is concluded that moringa is tolerant to pruning at low height. Pruning, as agricultural practice, increases biomass production and facilitates harvesting in moringa.

Keywords : Moringa; production; harvest.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )