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Moringa (Drumstick)All seasonsSeed-propagated annual varietyUpdated 30 August 2026

PKM 1

The variety that made annual, seed-propagated moringa a mainstream commercial crop across South India тАФ still one of the most widely planted types.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodFirst pod harvest around 6 months after planting; annual cropping
Expected yieldAbout 200тАУ230 pods per tree per year under normal spacing (2.5 m ├Ч 2.5 m)
Suitable soilWell-drained sandy loam to loam

Quick facts

Crop
Moringa (Drumstick)
Type
Seed-propagated annual variety
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
First pod harvest around 6 months after planting; annual cropping
Seed rate
About 2тАУ3 kg/ha for direct seeding (2тАУ3 seeds per pit, thinned to the strongest seedling)
Expected yield
About 200тАУ230 pods per tree per year under normal spacing (2.5 m ├Ч 2.5 m)
Suitable soil
Well-drained sandy loam to loam
Release
Released by HC&RI, Periyakulam ┬╖ Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)

About this variety

PKM 1 was released by the Horticultural College and Research Institute (HC&RI), Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, through pure-line selection. It was the variety that established annual, seed-propagated moringa as a commercial vegetable crop across South India, replacing the older practice of growing moringa as a long-lived, wide-spaced perennial tree from cuttings. It bears its first pod crop around six months after planting and is grown as an annual, seed-raised crop rather than a multi-year tree.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeSeed-propagated annual variety
    MaturityFirst pod harvest around 6 months after planting; annual cropping
    Yield potentialAbout 200тАУ230 pods per tree per year under normal spacing (2.5 m ├Ч 2.5 m)
    Disease resistanceNo major disease resistance specifically documented; the variety's main advantage is establishing annual, seed-propagated moringa as a reliable commercial crop
    SoilWell-drained sandy loam to loam
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeJuneтАУJuly (monsoon, rainfed) or FebruaryтАУMarch (irrigated)
  • Seed rateAbout 2тАУ3 kg/ha for direct seeding (2тАУ3 seeds per pit, thinned to the strongest seedling)
  • Spacing2.5 m ├Ч 2.5 m for standard commercial pod production
  • Sowing methodDirect seeding at the final site is preferred; the taproot resents transplant disturbance
  • IrrigationRegular light watering through the first 2тАУ3 months of establishment, then reduced once the tree is established; steady moisture at flowering and pod set improves pod number and size
  • FertilizerFarmyard manure at planting plus a modest, twice-yearly split N:P:K dose (around 40:25:25 kg/ha) тАФ the zone-standard low dose for moringa, not adjusted specifically for this variety
  • HarvestingFirst pod harvest around 6 months after planting; pick pods tender, 55тАУ70 days after flowering, well before the seed inside hardens

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Well-drained sandy loam to loam тАФ the standard recommendation for commercial moringa
Irrigation
Excellent drainage is essential тАФ the taproot cannot survive standing water, the main soil risk for this variety as for the crop generally

Climate

Climate
Thrives in hot, dry conditions once established; the main climate risk is prolonged waterlogging during heavy monsoon spells, not heat or dry weather

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

First pod harvest around 6 months after planting; annual cropping

Expected yield

About 200тАУ230 pods per tree per year under normal spacing (2.5 m ├Ч 2.5 m)

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Management notes

  • Prune/pinch the main shoot at 75тАУ100 cm a few months after planting to force branching тАФ an unpruned PKM 1 grows tall and single-stemmed with far fewer pods.
  • A boron foliar spray at flowering reduces flower and young-pod drop, the single biggest yield leak in this variety as in moringa generally.

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for тАФ check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Tamil Nadu
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Maharashtra
  • Odisha