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

PKM 2

A later, higher-yielding TNAU-Periyakulam release than PKM 1, bred from a cross of two parent lines and responding strongly to closer spacing.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodFirst pod harvest around 6 months after planting; annual cropping
Expected yieldAround 240 pods per tree per year; markedly higher-yielding than PKM 1 at the same spacing, and highest under close spacing (around 1.2 m × 1.2 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 2–3 kg/ha for direct seeding, proportionally more for a close, high-density planting
Expected yield
Around 240 pods per tree per year; markedly higher-yielding than PKM 1 at the same spacing, and highest under close spacing (around 1.2 m × 1.2 m)
Suitable soil
Well-drained sandy loam to loam
Release
Released by HC&RI, Periyakulam · Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)

About this variety

PKM 2 was released by HC&RI, Periyakulam (TNAU) as a cross of two parent lines (commonly cited as MP 31 and MP 38), bred to outyield PKM 1. It gives a noticeably higher pod count per tree than PKM 1 at the same spacing, and its yield advantage is largest under close, high-density planting — trial reports place its highest recorded yields at spacing as tight as about 1.2 m × 1.2 m, well above what PKM 1 achieves at wider spacing. It is grown as an annual, seed-raised crop, first harvested around six months after planting.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeSeed-propagated annual variety
    MaturityFirst pod harvest around 6 months after planting; annual cropping
    Yield potentialAround 240 pods per tree per year; markedly higher-yielding than PKM 1 at the same spacing, and highest under close spacing (around 1.2 m × 1.2 m)
    Disease resistanceNo major disease resistance specifically documented
    SoilWell-drained sandy loam to loam
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeJune–July (monsoon, rainfed) or February–March (irrigated)
  • Seed rateAbout 2–3 kg/ha for direct seeding, proportionally more for a close, high-density planting
  • SpacingDown to about 1.2 m × 1.2 m for the high-density system this variety is best known for; wider spacing also works but gives up much of its yield advantage over PKM 1
  • Sowing methodDirect seeding at the final site is preferred over transplanting
  • IrrigationRegular light watering through establishment; a close-spaced, high-density block benefits from drip irrigation to manage the larger number of trees per hectare evenly
  • FertilizerSimilar to PKM 1 per tree, but total per-hectare fertiliser rises with a close-spaced planting since there are more trees to feed
  • HarvestingFirst harvest around 6 months after planting; a high-density PKM 2 block needs more frequent picking rounds simply because it carries more trees per hectare

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Well-drained sandy loam to loam
Irrigation
Excellent drainage is essential, if anything more critical in a close-spaced block where one waterlogged pocket affects many trees at once

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

First pod harvest around 6 months after planting; annual cropping

Expected yield

Around 240 pods per tree per year; markedly higher-yielding than PKM 1 at the same spacing, and highest under close spacing (around 1.2 m × 1.2 m)

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

Pest & disease considerations

Management notes

  • Prune hard and regularly at close spacing — this variety's yield advantage depends on repeated pruning pushing out fresh branching, not on planting close and leaving it.
  • Scout a dense, high-population block more often than a wide-spaced one, since pests and disease can spread faster tree-to-tree.

Suitable regions

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

  • Tamil Nadu
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka