Influence of different harvesting regimes on the biomass yield and nutritive quality of moringa (Moringa oleifera) in the guinea savannah zone of Ghana

The study was conducted to evaluate mass yield and nutrient composition of Moringa oleifera response to different cutting regimes in the savanna zone of Ghana. Three harvesting regimes were imposed on the initial establishment in a randomized complete block design which included harvesting at 12, 16 and harvesting at 20 weeks after planting. Cutting regimes were repeated in the regrowth phase. Sub-samples of the harvests were separated into leaves, stems and whole fractions for chemical analysis. Plant height and stem diameter were significantly (P< 0.05) influenced by harvesting regimes in both the initial establishment and regrowth phase. Number of branches and biomass yield were also significantly (P< 0.05) affected by harvesting regimes in the initial establishment but not at regrowth. All chemical components analyzed were influenced significantly (P< 0.05) by harvesting regimes, fraction and their interactions except for the interaction for dry matter (DM) in the initial establishment. Crude protein (CP) differed (P<0.05) in both establishments. Harvesting M. oleifera at 16 weeks in the initial establishment recorded the highest biomass yield (568kg DM/ha) whilst the harvest at 20 weeks recorded the highest bimass yield (400kg DM/ha) in the regrowth. Key words: Biomass yield, chemical composition, fraction, Ghana, harvesting regimes, Moringa oleifera