Inorganic fertilization improves quality and biomass of Moringa oleifera L.

Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) tree is being used for animal feed and human food as its leaves are an excellent source of amino acids and proteins. Moringa is indigenous plant of Pakistan, but its adaptation and production as agroforestry and fodder crop in smallholder farming sector is very low. Inorganic fertilization has been identified as a major limiting factor for moringa growth and quality of produce. A field experiment was conducted at the Directorate of Farms, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, to optimize NPK dose for healthy and quality produce of moringa. The experiment was comprised of four treatments-control (no fertilizer), 125:75:75 NPK, 100:50:50 NPK and 75:25:25 NPK kg ha(-1)-under randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements having four replicates. First harvest was taken in May and then applied with fertilizers. Results revealed that different harvesting time (months) significantly affected the number of branches, shoot dry weight, chlorophyll a and b contents, carotenoid contents, total phenolic contents, K contents and total soluble protein except shoot fresh weight. Regarding the fertilizer treatments, application of 125:75:75 kg NPK ha(-1) produced total phenolic contents, K concentration and soluble proteins as compared to control and other treatments. Maximum growth, nutrient and biochemical attributes were observed in the month of August. In crux, for the maximum growth, nutrient and biochemical attributes, August is the best harvesting time using the 125:75:75 kg of NPK ha(-1) as fertilizer dose.