Aerial biomass and cutting ages of moringa in protein banks, in two localities of Monagas, Venezuela

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is a tropical plant whose foliage is recognized as a valuable animal supplement, its cultivation and use grows in the livestock regions of Venezuela, including the extensive savannahs of the Monagas state. With the objective of evaluating the production of moringa biomass, harvested at five cutting ages, in protein banks of the Juanico Sur and San Agustín de La Pica localities, Maturín municipality, Monagas, Venezuela, experiments were conducted under the block design random, in both locations, with five cut-off ages corresponding to 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days and three repetitions per treatment. The variables quantified were yield in fresh and dry biomass -total, leaf and stem- (kg plant^-1), and from these, the sustaining capacity of the crop (Number of animals ha^-1) in each location was estimated. Comparison was applied by Mann Whitney test (Localities) and by ANDEVA procedure (Cut-off ages). Biomass production was statistically different between locations, with Juanico Sur being superior, while no significant differences were found between cutting ages per location. The leaf biomass per hectare in Juanico Sur would have the capacity to sustain 20% of the ration for 45 days individually to 14 high-producing cows; 38 semi-stabled sheep; 23 fattening pigs; 282 rabbits or 1000 laying hens; while in San Agustín de La Pica it would have the capacity to support approximately only 15% of that animal load. The edaphoclimatic conditions of San Agustín de La Pica were restrictive for the production of biomass from the moringa crop.