Best Fertilizer for Moringa Plant: Organic, Compost Manure, NPK, and Schedule

Moringa belongs to the Moringaceae family. In general, fertilizers will help trees grow faster and healthier. Moringa plants benefit from the light use of a common, all-purpose fertilizer to support growth. Once established, Moringa plants do not need regular fertilization. However, they benefit from regularly modifying their topsoil with compost or manure. Let’s check out the best fertilizer for Moringa plant, why it is important to fertilize Moringa trees, and the best way to fertilize Moringa trees.

Fertilizer management for Moringa tree

Fertilizer management plays an important role in crop growth and development. Maximizing the use of different fertilizers increases crop growth, development, and yield. According to the current trend, the level of increase in production is increasing due to the increase in the level of nutrition per unit area. Fertilizer management is an important factor in significantly increasing crop yields.

In the current context of high fertilizer prices, it is important to work on the maximum and economic need for fertilizer for the Moringa crop. Nutrition management is managing crop fertility inputs and other production methods for efficient crop growth and protection of water quality. Organic and inorganic fertilizers play an important role in improving the nutritional value of the Moringa.

Established Moringa plants are low maintenance and require very little care, especially if grown outdoors year-round. Moringa trees usually grow well without too much fertilizer. Manure or compost can be mixed with the soil used to fill planting pits. Phosphorus can be added to stimulate root growth and nitrogen will stimulate leaf canopy growth.

In some parts of India, during the rainy season, trenches are dug 15 cm deep at a distance of about 10 cm from the trees and filled with green leaves, manure, and ash. These trenches are then covered with soil. This method is said to promote a high yield of pods. Research has also shown that the use of 7.5 kg of farmyard manure and 0.37 kg of ammonium sulfate per tree can triple the yield of pods.

When to fertilize the Moringa tree

The time between fertilization depends on the age of the tree. Very young plants require only small amounts of quick-release fertilizer due to the sensitivity of their roots and stems. Developing trees can handle common fertilizers, and should be fertilized twice a year, preferably during the growing season. Mature trees have complex root systems that are widespread, meaning they can obtain nutrients and water from a wide range of land. They do not need as many nutrients as young trees, so it is sufficient to fertilize mature trees once a year.

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Best fertilizer for Moringa plant

Organic fertilizer

Organic fertilizer is a non-composted material based on plants and animals. Organic fertilizers are more expensive than inorganic fertilizers but are less harmful to the environment and the tree itself. Again, organic fertilizers slow down nutrient excretion because they need to be digested by soil microorganisms.

Applying too much fertilizer helps to improve plant growth. Organic manure or compost can be added to the soil to improve soil fertility. You can also use N-P-K fertilizer to encourage root growth and leaf growth. Remember, you do not apply fertilizers during the growing season.

Inorganic fertilizer

Inorganic fertilizer is the most common choice for homeowners who want to provide their plants with the right nutrients. Inorganic fertilizers are relatively inexpensive and can be absorbed much faster than their organic counterparts. Inorganic fertilizers have been identified as a major limiting factor in the quality of Moringa growth and production.

NPK fertilizer

Moringa trees prefer fertilizers with NPK of 2: 1: 1 or 3: 1: 1, which is 2-3 times more nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium.

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Fertilizer for Moringa Tree — Image Source

Moringa tree fertilizer schedule

The following fertilizer schedule is adopted for Moringa trees

150:150:100 g NPK/tree basal application
About 500 g poultry manure + 250 g neem cake per pit

If only chemical fertilizer used

At the time of pinching apply 44: 16: 30 g NPK/ tree
N (75 days after sowing). Nitrogen by 44 g / tree at first flowering

If only organic

10 kg/tree compost as a basal application at sowing time and 20 kg/tree at pruning.

Fertigation in Moringa

Nutrient required per ha area – 144:24:48Kg (N:P: K)
Fertigation dose – N:P: K – 144:6:48 kg

Fertilizer name	Dose (kg/ha)
Super Phosphate	113
19-19-19	32
13-00-45	94
Urea	274

A complete dose of 113 kg of superphosphate must be applied as basal 3 months after planting as superphosphate is insoluble in water.

Fertigation schedule for Moringa

Stage of crop	Duration of Fertilization	Name of the fertilizer	No. of times	Dosage (kg/ each time)
First stage	Three months after planting to 145 days	19-19-1913-00-45Urea	11 times11 times11 times	2.90.77.2
Second stage	146 days after planting to 190 days	13-00-45Urea	9 times9 times	3.613.0
Third stage	191-235 days	13-00-45Urea	9 times9 times	5.98.8

Fertilizers for homegrown Moringa

Composted chicken manure seems to be the best option if you are cultivating outdoors. For everyone else though, there is no question that you would like to choose fertilizer products with plenty of nitrogen and phosphorus to encourage their growth.

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Also consider adding some biochar, as these Moringa plants respond well to this amendment. Because they survive in tropical climates with high nutrient depletion, these trees generally require very little fertilizer. However, if you want bumper production from your hometown of Moringa, you may want to consider some of these products;

Fox Farm Organic 6-4-4
Azomite [trace minerals]
Biochar

For potted Moringa, you can add 1 pound of manure for every 5 gallons of soil. For planted Moringa, aim for 1 pound per 5 square feet of soil and plant 3 inches away from the trunk. If your Moringa plant is not growing well, try first checking its sunlight, water, and soil levels. If you believe it can use some fertilizer, it is best to choose store-bought or manure fertilizer (mixed with soil).

How to fertilize Moringa tree with manure

For Moringa tree growth, a fertilizer dose of about 45:15:30 g NPK / pit can be applied 3 months after sowing. Apply 45 g N / Pit after 6 months when there is crop effect. Manure is one of the best natural fertilizers to use. Be sure to buy fertilizer or process your fresh manure first as it contains high levels of nitrogen and can burn your plant. If your Moringa is planted outdoors, use 1 to 2 pounds of fertilizer for every 5 square feet of garden.

Mix it in the soil to prevent the plants from burning. If it is placed in a pot, the amount of fertilizer depends on the size of the pot. Generally, start with 1 pound of fertilizer for every 5 gallons of soil (mix it with soil). This manure/soil mixture can be easily applied on top of existing soil, but make sure that the fertilizer does not touch the tree as it can burn it with its high nitrogen content.

Sheep and Goat manure

Sheep and goat droppings make excellent manure. Therefore, it is a common practice to ensure the use of sheep and goat droppings in the fields. Sheep and goat manure contains 3% N, 1% P2O5, and 2% K2O.

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Green manure / green leaf manure

Green manure / green leaf manure is a fresh plant material that is plowed into the soil to add organic matter, thus providing nutrients to the plant tissues. Is. Generally, if a crop is grown and incorporated in the same field, it is called green manure and if the plant material is imported and planted in the field; this exercise is called green leaf manuring. Such crops include legumes and non-legumes.

Poultry manure

This is rich organic manure because liquid and solid excretions are excreted at the same time which does not result in loss of urine. Poultry manure ferments very quickly. If left exposed, it can lose up to 50% of its nitrogen within 30 days. Poultry manure can be applied directly to the ground as soon as possible. After application, it should work on the soil surface.

If the drops come from cages or dropping pits, superphosphate 1 kg per day per 100 birds can be added to them. It improves the quality of fertilizer and helps control flies and odors. The average chemical composition of poultry manure is as follows;

Type	Moisture%	Nitrogen%	Phosphorus%	Potassium%
Fresh	75	1.47	1.15	0.48
Floor litter	24	3.03	2.63	1.40

Nutrient deficiency symptoms in Moringa tree

Element	Deficiency symptom
Nitrogen	Small and light green leaves
Phosphorus	Dark green color foliage, purplish or yellow leaves
Potassium	Mottled leaves, yellow color leaf margins, dead leaf tips
Iron	New upper leaves turn yellow, brown color edges
Magnesium	Lower yellow leaves, curly leaf margins

Fertilizer for higher yields

Integrated nutrient management

To get higher yields in Moringa trees, 100 g urea, 100 g superphosphate, and 50 g muriate of potash in the third month and again in the sixth month of planting, 100 g urea should be applied top dressing. Integrated nutrient management includes organic manures, bio-fertilizers, and various levels of N, P, and K.

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Apply Neem cake by 250 g / pit + poultry manure by 500 g / pit + Panchakavya by 2% spray with 150: 150: 100 g NPK / tree with initial strength in treatment. Fertilizers can also be added to the integrated nutrition management system to increase soil fertility. The following fertilizers are recommended for planting in Moringa.

Farmyard manure

The term farmyard manure refers to the refuse from farm animals, especially cattle, sheep, and poultry. It is one of the oldest manures known for its many beneficial effects when applied to field soils that is maintaining physical and chemical fertility. Farmyard manure is a mixture of four components i.e.; dung, litter (bedding), and urine waste.

The average composition of FYM

The average FYM contains 0.5% N, 0.25% P2Os and 0.50% K2O.
One ton of material will provide 5 kg N, 2.5 kg P2O and 5 Kg K2O.

Frequently asked questions about Moringa fertilizers

Why are the leaves of Moringa turning yellow?

The leaves of the Moringa tree may turn yellow due to over-watering / under-watering. They can also turn yellow due to a lack of sunlight or lack of essential nutrients.

Is Moringa high in nitrogen?

The nutrients in the leaves of Moringa were significantly affected by the use of fertilizer application. Poultry manure and NPK increased the nitrogen content of Moringa leaves.

Which is better, Moringa seed or leaf?

Moringa is no different. Seeds are high in nutrients, but they also contain high levels of the ingredients that cause the laxative effects.