Moringa Cultivation Guide

Plant Name- Moringa or Drumstick

Scientific Name- Moringa oleifera

Family- Moringaceae

Hindi Name- Sajgan Shinga, Sajane Dauta, Shevaga, Sajana Chhuin, Savonjna, and Nuggekai.

Moringa oleifera, also known as drumstick tree, ben oil tree, horseradish tree, and the miracle tree, is a plant native to India that also grows in Asia, South America, and Africa. For centuries, moringa is used in cooking and as a topical because of its many health and medicinal benefits. Because of its antibacterial and antibiotic properties, moringa extract is used to treat gastritis, ulcerative colitis, constipation, and gastritis.

Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties also speed up the process of healing wounds and reducing the appearance of scars. As a topical oil, moringa seed oil keeps hair and skin healthy and clean. The proteins present in moringa protect the skin cells from damage and even cure certain skin infections and sores. It is rich in calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorous, and in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, and C.

Location

Moringa is largely cultivated in the following southern states of India- Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala.

Climate

Moringa is a summer crop.
This crop requires plenty of water and direct sunlight.
Since this plant is native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions, it cannot thrive in extreme cold weather and is not resistant to the ill effects of frost.
The best time to grow moringa is between July and October.
The ideal temperature to cultivate a good quality crop is between 25 to 30°C.

Soil Requirements

The pH value of the soil should be between 5 and 9. However, the ideal pH for a high and good-quality of yield is 7.5.
Moringa grows well in loamy or sandy soil. It also grows well in a mixture of these two types of soils.

Land Preparation

If you plan on cultivating moringa on a large scale, then you should plough the land.
Divide the field into pits that are 1 to 1.5 metres away, on all sides, from other pits. The pits should be 50 cm deep and wide.
By dividing the field into smaller zones, we are loosening the help and helping it retain its moisture.
Mix the topsoil with 5kg of organic compost or manure and fill the pits. Don’t use the soil taken out from the pit for this purpose.
At least a day before sowing the seeds or transplanting seedlings, fill the pits with water.

Seed Rate

25 kg of seeds are required per acre.

Sowing time and method

Moringa is propagated by transplanting seedlings and cuttings, and by directly sowing the seeds in the field.
Using cuttings instead of seeds ensures that you will get an exact duplicate of the mother tree. Cuttings also tend to grow faster and develop their first bloom within 8 months.
Moringa seeds can be directly sown into the field. Plant 3 to 5 seeds in each hole, 2 inches apart, and half an inch deep. Then cover the seed with soil and water.

Irrigation

Mature moringa plant doesn’t require a lot of water. It can even produce a good quality yield in drought-like conditions.
Do not water the seedlings heavily for the first few days. The soil should be moist and not soggy after watering.
The soil must be consistently moist but not wet because moringa is sensitive to overwatering.
It is advised to deeply water this crop rather than lightly watering it frequently.

Fertilizers

Before sowing moringa seeds add compost to the soil.
Moringa plants benefit from a general application of all-purpose fertilizer.
Mature moringa plants do not require regular fertilization. However, you can still add organic compost or manure to the topsoil frequently.

Pest and Disease Management

Moringa Hairy Caterpillar- The female moth lays effs in clusters on the lower surface of the leaves. Once the larvae have hatched, they begin their feeding period which lasts about 13 to 29 days until they form a cocoon. A severe infestation of a large cluster of caterpillars feeding on the plant leads to the defoliation of the tree. The organic way to control this infestation is by spraying a mixture of neem and datura extract with water. The infestation is also controlled by collecting egg masses and caterpillars and destroying them.
Moringa Bud Worm- The larvae bore into the flower beds and lead to 75% of the shedding of buds. Damaged buds seldom blossom and fall down prematurely. Moringa budworm infestations are common during the summer in South India. Infestation can be controlled by attracting its natural predators- wasps, damsel bugs, big-eyed bugs, and minute pirate bugs.
Damping off- This disease reduces the rate of seed germination. You can tell that your moringa plant is infected by damping off disease when water-soaked legions form at the collar region and the infected areas turn brown and rot. This disease spreads through irrigation water. While there is no cure for plants that suffer from damping off disease, however, you can prevent the disease by providing good air circulation and by sterilizing your potting soil in an oven.

Harvest and yield

After 6 to 12 months of planting, you can start harvesting the leaves depending upon their growth.
The yield of this crop is somewhere between 50 to 55 tons of pod/ha.