harvesting fresh Moringa leaves by leaf picking method produces the highest yield
Ketty Suketty(a), Juang Gema Kartika (a), Aisya Risanda Rahmadyahningrum(b)

(a)Department Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University
(b) Alumny of Department Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University

Abstract

Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is perennial, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall. Moringa leaves can be eaten as vegetable. Appropriate cultivation techniques are needed to maximize fresh leaves yield. This research aims to study and determine the appropriate spacing and harvesting techniques to obtain the best moringa growth and leaf yield. The study was conducted at Kebun Percobaan IPB Sukamantri at 540 m asl, in March to July 2019. The experiment used a split plot design with plant spacing as main plots, and harvesting techniques as subplots. Plant spacing used are 50 cm x 25 cm, 50 cm x 50 cm, 100 cm x 50 cm, dan 100 cm x 100 cm. Harvesting techniques consist of branch pruning and leaf picking. Harvesting with branch pruning was done by cut 5 cm from the base of the branches, and leaf picking was done by picking leaves that meet the harvest criteria. The result showed that leaf picking techniques produces longer branches and bigger leaves. Moringa planting at a spacing of 50 cm x 25 cm and harvested by leaf picking technique produces the highest leaf yield per unit area until the plant was 15 weeks after transplant.

Keywords: harvest method, leaf production, moringa cultivation, plant density, plant population

Topic: Food and Nutrition Security