Sustainable Construction
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Moringa
Planting:
To promote rapid growth in moringa seedlings, seeds of the annual moringa variety can be directly sown in the planting pit. The ideal time for sowing is in September, especially in southern India. This timing is crucial to avoid the flowering phase coinciding with the monsoon season, which can lead to significant flower shedding.
Moringa Variety:
Country seeds are commonly used for moringa planting.
Irrigation:
Moringa generally requires minimal watering, except during hot weather, when it benefits from weekly irrigation. Using drip irrigation significantly enhances yield, especially for vegetable moringa fruit. Compared to rain-fed crops, drip irrigation at a rate of 4 liters per day can increase yield by up to 57%.
Fertilization:
Moringa trees thrive without fertilizers, but in southern India, ring trenches are dug around the trees during the rainy season and filled with organic materials such as green leaves, manure, and ash to boost fruit yield. If fertilization is applied, the crop needs 44:16:30 grams of NPK per tree during the pinching stage, which occurs 75 days after sowing. Additionally, 44 grams of nitrogen should be top-dressed when the first flowers bloom, around 150–160 days after sowing.
Pests and Diseases:
The main pest affecting moringa is the fruit fly Gerona distigma, which can be effectively controlled through Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Currently, no significant diseases have been reported to affect moringa crops in India.
Ratooning:
After harvesting annual moringa, the plants are cut back to one meter above ground level to encourage ratooning. The new shoots from the ratoon plants begin bearing fruit within 4–5 months. Nutrient replenishment during this process is essential, and plants should be provided with the recommended NPK levels along with 20–35 kg of farmyard manure (FYM).
Harvest and Yield:
Annual moringa plants typically bear fruit seasonally, with crops sown in September ready for harvest within six months. Fruits are harvested when they reach adequate size and before they become fibrous.