Combined effect of layout and cutting level of Moringa oleifera plants on eggplant (Solanum melongena) fruit yield

Abstract

The combination of the woody species Moringa oleifera and vegetable crops has become a form of land use that allows farmers to make judicious use of overexploited land. Also, among the crops associated with M. oleifera today is Solanum melongena (eggplant). The objective of this study is to review the combined effect of the disposition and cutting level factors of M. oleifera plants on the fruit yields of S. melongena. These factors include three and two levels respectively. Thus, Six (6) treatments A1B1, A1B2, A2B1, A2B2, A3B1 and A3B2 and a control treatment (T) were used. The parameters studied are fruit productivity and the linear correlation between eggplant fruit productivity and time. Statistical tests showed that the treatments did not have a significant effect on eggplant yield at the 5% level. Analysis of the coefficients of determination showed that the models A1B2, A2B2, A3B2 and the Control are those which best explain the variability of fruit productivity as a function of time. These results demonstrate that farmers can combine M. oleifera with eggplant without the risk of significant loss in yield.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Solanum melongena, layout, cutting level, yield