THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF THREE MORINGA PROVENANCES IN LUYENGO, SWAZILAND.

Abstract

Scarcity of animal feed resources, particularly during the dry season, is a major constraint to livestock production in the tropics and in particular in Swaziland. Commercial animal feed supplement are too expensive for most farmers and alternative resources are needed. Moringa oleifera (Lam) has been used as a protein source in feeding livestock. However, its growth performance, biomass production and chemical composition have not been investigated in Swaziland. The study investigated the field growth performance, biomass production and chemical composition of Moringa provenances under Luyengo condition. The Moringa provenances used were Mayiwane, Malawi and Binga in a randomised complete block design with each provenance replicated twice. The plant height and root collar diameter were measured for 23 weeks after field planting. The data was analysed using Statistix Version 2. The root collar diameter for Mayiwane provenance was greater (P < 0.05) than that of Malawi and Binga provenances which themselves did not differ (P > 0.05). The increment in root collar diameter followed a similar trend with Mayiwane provenance having an increment of 0.019cm/d compared to 0.012cm/d for Malawi and Binga provenances. Malawi and Binga provenances had similar (P > 0.05) plant height which was lower (P < 0.05) than that of Mayiwane provenance. Mayiwane provenance had growth rate of 1.81 cm/d which was greater (P < 0.05) than that of Binga and Malawi provenances of 1.00 and 1.10 cm/d, respectively. The leaf biomass production of Mayiwane provenance was greater (P < 0.05) compared to the other provenances. The leaf fraction dry biomass yield was 5009.13 kg/ha, 3502.27 kg/ha and 2591.32 kg/ha, for Mayiwane, Malawi and Binga provenances, respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) different in CP, CF and EE content among the provenances. It can be concluded that the Moringa provenances produce substantial forage biomass and can be used as protein supplements to ruminant and non-ruminant diets in Swaziland.