AGROPRODUCTIVE RESPONSE OF Moringa oleifera Lam. IN DIFFERENT AGES AND CUTTING HEIGHTS

Abstract

Background. Background. The Moringa oleifera Lam is a fast growing deciduous tree. Objective. To evaluate under conditions of Cauto Valley, Cuba, the effect of the combination of cutting height with cutting age in morphological and productive variables in Moringa oleifera vc Criolla. Methodology. The evaluations were developed in a design of divided plots with four replicas, the cutting height (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm) was identified as the main plot, and the cutting age (45 and 60 days) as a sub plot. for a total of ten treatments. Results. Plant height (103.9 cm) and number of leaves per plant (29.15) were favored (p≤0.05) when the cut was combined at 60 days at 40 cm height, the stem diameter was variable depending on cutting height The green matter yield (GMY) did not show significant differences (P≥0.05) when the cut was used between 10 and 40 cm in height at 60 days (5.62-5.85 t GM / ha-1), at 45 days to All the results were variable, but lower (p≤0.05) than those obtained at 60 days. The DM yield was favored in the same range of cutting height and age as for GMY, and ranged between 1.14-1.73 t DM / ha-1. Implications. It is recommended to use this management for the production of fodder in the conditions of the Cauto Valley and evaluate it over time, emphasizing the survival of the plants and sustainability of the forage production. Conclusions. The management system evaluated for forage production of Moringa oleifera, contributed an important accumulation of leaves that contributed to acceptable GM and DM productions, the combination that contributed most to this result was the cut at 60 days at 40 cm high.