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Effects of Planting Locations on the Proximate Compositions of Moringa Oleifera leaves
LAMIDI, WASIU AGUNBIADE; MURTADHA, MOSOBALAJE ABDULSALAM & OJO, DOYINSOLA OLAITAN
Abstract
Moringa oleifera is cultivated all over the world as it is commonly used as
nutritional and medicinal plant. This study was carried out to determine the effect of various
locations in Ejigbo and Egbedore Local Government Areas, (LGA) in Osun State and Surulere
LGA in Oyo State on the nutritional compositions of Moringa oleifera leaves. Fresh leaves of
Moringa oleifera were harvested from moringa trees growing at sixteen different locations in
Ejigbo and Egbedore LGAs. The analysis of the study was then based on four principal
locations namely Ara tagged S1, Igbon tagged S2, Ejigbo tagged S3 and Oko tagged S4. The
leaves were oven dried and their proximate contents were determined using standard analytical
techniques. Ash, moisture, crude fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate and protein contents were
determined according to conventional method. The results of proximate analysis revealed
significant difference between different locations and the ash, moisture, crude fat, crude fibre,
carbohydrate contents but there was no significance recorded for crude protein at different
locations Moreover, the highest level of crude fat (11.83%); crude fibre (12.42%); ash content
(12.4%) and carbohydrate (49.9%) were recorded in Ara. The significant negative and positive
associations recorded between the nutritional components and different locations revealed the
extents of the influence of soil characteristics on the moringa leaves at these locations.
Therefore, soil factors should be considered by farmers in the planning the establishment of
moringa plantation.
Keywords
locations; moringa; LGA; proximate composition; soil factors
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