Collection: DRUMSTICK

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Drumstick is a rich source of nutrients and a widely cultivated crop, primarily for its tender pods. Drumstick is popular not only in India but all across the globe. Drumstick is used in soups, curries, stir-fries etc. The Drumstick pods can be preserved by refrigeration or drying for use during off-season periods. Drumstick is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and potassium, making it a high-nutrient plant.

Beyond culinary uses, the drumstick plant also has many industrial applications. The moringa seeds contain oil, which is used in cosmetics and as a biodiesel. The drumstick plant's roots, bark, and leaves are used in medicine preparation. The gum from the bark of the Drumstick plant is used in textile and paper industries. Drumstick is scientifically known as Moringa oleifera and belongs to the Moringaceae family.

Drumstick cultivation has gained much importance all over the world due to the plant's endurance and adaptability. The most significant majority of drumstick production comes from India. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka are a few leading states in drumstick production in India. Drumstick is also known as Mulakkada, Malunggay, Sahjan, and Shevga in other Indian languages.

Climate for Drumstick Cultivation

Drumstick is a tropical and subtropical crop. Moringa crop grows predominantly in warm, arid climates. The Drumstick plant is highly drought-resistant and well-suited for cultivation in dry regions receiving low rainfall. Sahjan crop is susceptible to frost. Temperatures below 18°C can hinder drumstick plant growth, while excessive cold may cause damage to the plant, affecting drumstick pod yield.

Drumstick plant grows best at temperatures between 25 and 35°C. Although the Sahjan plant can tolerate extreme heat, temperatures above 40°C may result in the shedding of drumstick plant flowers.

Soil for Sowing Moringa Seeds

Drumstick grows well on soils that are well-drained and aerated. Moringa plant thrives best in sandy loam soils. Moringa is a drought-tolerant species but susceptible to waterlogging, so preventing water stagnation is paramount to its growth.

Malunggay prefers a soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Though the Sahjan plant tolerates slightly saline conditions, maintaining the balanced composition of the soil contributes to maximizing yields and the quality of moringa pods.

​Land Preparation for Sowing Moringa Seeds

Plough the land two to three times to get a fine tilth. Add 25 tonnes of FYM per hectare to enrich the soil fertility during the final ploughing.​

Drumstick Seeds and Propagation material

Selection of a Moringa Seed Variety: The selection of moringa seed variety will depend on the climate, soil type, availability of irrigation, etc.

Procurement of Quality Moringa Seeds: One should source quality moringa seeds to ensure a good crop. At Desikheti, a wide range of high-quality moringa seeds are available.

Drumstick Seed Rate: The seed rate required for the Moringa crop is around 200 g of Moringa seeds per acre.

Drumstick Seed Treatment: Generally, the Moringa seeds sold by private sectors are treated with chemicals. If the Moringa seeds are not pre-treated, they can be treated with fungicides like Thiram or Captan.

Time of sowing Moringa seeds

The Moringa crop is sown in the months of the Kharif season from June to July, coinciding with the monsoon rains. In some regions, Moringa is also planted during the Rabi season from October to November.

Method of Sowing Moringa Seeds

The method of sowing moringa seeds can vary depending on the region. In some areas, farmers directly sow the moringa seeds, while in others, the moringa seedlings are raised in the nursery and then transplanted to the main field. Depending on the region, Drumstick is planted in rows, pits, or trenches. Spacing varies based on the region and method of sowing adopted.

In the case of transplantation, malunggay seedlings are ready for planting about a month after sowing moringa seeds in the nursery. Around 100 extra drumstick seedlings may be raised in the nursery for gap-filling.

Nutrient Management for Moringa Farming

The fertilizer quantities to be applied to the moringa crops will depend on the crop varieties, geography, and soil types. The general recommendation of fertilizer for drumstick crops is 50 kg of nitrogen (N), 30 kg of phosphorus (P), and 30 kg of potassium (K) per hectare.

One-fourth of the recommended nitrogen and the entire phosphorus and potassium can be applied as a basal dose. The remaining portion of the nitrogen can be split and applied during the flowering and fruiting stages of malunggay plants.

Irrigation Management in Drumstick Farming

Drumstick is a drought-tolerant crop and generally does not require much irrigation. The frequency of irrigation depends on soil type and seasonal factors. The first irrigation is given soon after moringa seed germination. After that, irrigation is typically provided once every 7 to 10 days during the dry season. During the rainy season, irrigation frequency can be reduced or even stopped.

Water stress during the Shevga plant flowering and fruiting phases can negatively affect pod quality and overall yields. Therefore, care should be taken during the flowering and pod development stages of the malunggay plant. Drip irrigation is highly effective for drumstick plants as it delivers water directly to the roots, enhancing crop growth and moringa pod yield.

Weed management in Moringa Farming

Timely weeding in the moringa field boosts moringa plant growth and productivity. The first weeding should be done when moringa seedlings are about two to three weeks old, followed by weeding once every 30 days until the drumstick plants reach three months. Since the early growth period is crucial in malunggay crops, frequent hoeing and hand weeding are recommended during this time. Later, weeding can be done as needed.

Pests and Diseases Management in Moringa Cultivation

Common Pests of Moringa

Moringa Hairy Caterpillars (Eupterote mollifera)

• Caterpillars gather in clusters on moringa plant stems during the day and become active at night.
• Caterpillars feed aggressively on Shevga plant leaves, bark, and foliage.
• Severe infestations can result in complete defoliation, impacting the moringa plant's health and productivity.

Moringa Budworm (Noorda moringae)

• The larvae bore into the moringa flower buds and damage the inner contents.
• Damaged drumstick flower buds rarely bloom and often fall off prematurely.
• This pest infestation is particularly intense during the summer months in South India.

Pod fly (Gitona distigma)

• Maggots bore small holes at the tip of tender moringa pods.
• This causes a gummy fluid to ooze out, leading the drumstick fruit to dry out.
• The inner contents of the moringa fruit eventually begin to rot due to maggot activity.

Bark borer (Indarbela tetraonis)

• Young moringa trees are especially susceptible to this attack.
• The caterpillars bore into the malunggay plant trunk, where branches meet, creating zigzag galleries.
• During the day, the caterpillars hide inside the tunnels, emerging at night to feed on the Sahjan plant bark.
• In severe cases, the flow of sap is blocked, drumstick plant growth is halted, and drumstick fruit production is significantly reduced.

Common Diseases of Moringa

Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum):

• Typical symptoms of this disease include a white to light grey powdery layer on the underside of moringa leaves.
• As it progresses, affected malunggay leaves may crumple, dry out, and eventually fall off.
• The fungal growth interferes with drumstick plant photosynthesis, causing low yields.
• In severe cases, the disease causes wilting and can lead to the death of the Shevga plant.

Brown Leaf Spot (Cercospora moringicola)

• Small brown spots appear scattered across the moringa leaves at first.
• Over time, these spots spread until they cover the Drumstick leaves completely.
• As the spots merge, the malunggay leaves take on an irregular, blighted appearance.
• Affected Drumstick leaves drop off early.

Fusarium Wilt  (Fusarium oxysporum)

• Early signs include yellowing of the lower moringa leaves, followed by discolouration of the younger leaves.
• The vascular bundles turn brown, causing stunted growth, root rot, and reduced pod yields.
• The disease may affect a few branches or the entire drumstick plant, leading to irreversible wilting and drying.

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)

• This disease causes dark, sunken lesions to appear on moringa plant leaves, stems, and pods.
• Infected Shevga pods develop circular black spots, often leading to premature fruit drop.
• In severe cases, the disease causes drumstick leaves to fall off, branches to die back, and pod yields to drop.

Twig canker (Fusarium pallidoroseum Cooke Sacc.)

• Early signs include clearing of the veinlets and yellowing of moringa leaves.
• Sunken brown to reddish lesions appear on moringa plant branches, and infected moringa shoots look darker or discoloured compared to healthy ones.
• In the later stages, the vascular system begins to brown, causing the affected drumstick plants to become stunted and eventually die.

Harvesting of Moringa Pods

Moringa pods are typically harvested 6-8 months after sowing the moringa seeds and 60 to 90 days after flowering, depending on the moringa variety and prevailing seasonal conditions. The optimal harvesting period is when the drumstick pods are still young, tender, and about 15 to 20 cm long.

It is best to harvest the moringa pods while they are still green before they become fibrous. It is advisable to cut the pods from the tree using a sharp knife or scissors to minimize disturbance to the drumstick plant.

Moringa Pod Yield

The harvest period extends for 2-3 months, and each moringa plant typically bears around 200-250 fruits in annual varieties. In perennial varieties, the yield is generally low (80-90 fruits per plant per year) during the first two years of bearing. After that, the yield increases to about 500-600 fruits per plant per year in the 4th and 5th years.