Comparative effects of compost and NPK fertilizer on vegetative growth, protein, and carbohydrate of Moringa oleifera lam hybrid PKM-1

A field study evaluated the effects of NPK (21:17:17) and compost on vegetative growth, proteins, and carbohydrates of Moringa oleifera. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments replicated three times. Compost and NPK fertilizers were applied together which include control (without fertilizer) 5 t ha⁻¹ (Compost), 120 kg ha⁻¹ (NPK), 50 + 50% ha⁻¹ (NPK + Compost), 10 + 50% ha⁻¹ (NPK + Compost), and 50 + 10% ha⁻¹ (NPK + Compost) per plot. For NPK fertilizer, the rate was 10 and 50% of 120 kg ha⁻¹ and for compost it was 10 and 50% of 5 t ha⁻¹. The measured growth parameters were plant height (cm), stem girth (mm), number of leaves, and number of branches per plant. Results showed that 120 kg ha⁻¹ (NPK) treatment produced plants of more height, stem girth, more number of leaves, maximum number of branches as compared to other treatments at week 8 with higher protein. Carbohydrate content was high in 50 + 50% (NPK + Compost) compared to others.