Moringa oleifera biomass production using biosolids in a silvopastoral system

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the biomass production of Moringa oleifera Lamark, in a Livestock Forest Integration system with different fertilization and planting densities. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, with five replications per treatment, in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme, consisting of three planting densities (0, 15 and 30 plants) of Moringa and three factors assigned to the types of fertilization (biosolids, NPK chemical fertilizer and without fertilizer), totaling 45 sampling units. Totaling the following treatments: T1 – No moringa + no fertilizer application; T2 – Without moringa + chemical fertilizer; T3 – Without moringa + biosolid; T4 – Density 15 + without fertilizer application; T5 - Density 15 + chemical fertilizer; T6 - Density 15 + biosolid; T7 – Density 30+ without fertilizer application; T8 – Density 30 + chemical fertilizer; T9 – Density 30 + biosolid. The experimental period started right after transplanting the seedlings, for 225 days, totaling six growth evaluations. The characteristics evaluated were: plant height in cm (ALT); and crown diameter (DC), with the aid of a simple ruler graduated in centimeters (cm). It thus concludes that the use of moringa at density 30 obtained the best results for both variables, thus indicating its use in a larger population in integration systems. Fertilization had no significant difference, demonstrating the adaptability of moringa and its nitrogen synthesis.