FODDER LEAVES AND WOOD MASS PRODUCTIVITY ASSESSMENT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA IN SEMI-ARID CENTRAL INDIAP.N. Dwivedi1, P.K. Pathak, S.K. Singh and Amit Kumar PatilAbstract Good quality feed resources are very important component to achieve the production potential from livestock business. Supplementation of protein rich fodder tree leaves or its leaf meal could be a potential alternative for increasing the quality of livestock diet. A study was conducted to assess Moringa foliage plantation with respect to leaves and wood leaves and wood production per unit area to quantify precise biomass production. The relationship between plant base diameter to leaf biomass and wood mass yield were established and observed high correlation coefficients (R2 ) ranges from 0.80 to 0.87. Mean fodder leaves yield of 227q/ha, woodmass yield of 984q /ha with leaf stem ratio of 18.8:81.2 were observed on fresh harvesting basis. Dried leaf and wood mass production were recorded 66q/ha and 659 q/ha, respectively. The crude protein yield from Moringa leaves was assessed as 12.9 q on dry matter basis from one hectare Moringa field. A process methodology has also been developed for the preparation of Moringa leaf meal. |