International Journal of Horticulture, 2017, Vol.7, No.30, 275-287
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availability of planting materials (stem cuttings), requirement of a greater number of rainy days in regions where
water is scarce, and vulnerability to pests and diseases. Important varieties of Moringa are Moolanur Moringa,
Valayapatti Moringa, Chavakacheri Moringa, Chemmurungai, Jaffna Type, Kattu Moringa, Kodikkal Moringa,
Palmurungai, Punamurungai, Palamedu Moringa.
3.1.1 Moolanur Moringa
Farmers in and around Moolanur, Karur, Dharapuram areas of Tamil Nadu, predominantly cultivate perennial
Moringa which has a pod length of 45-50 cm, pod weight of 120 g and an yield of 200 kg/tree. Trees are
maintained up to 15 years without pruning.
3.1.2 Valayapatti Moringa
Another perennial type cultivated in and around Usilampatti, Aundipatti areas is Valayapatti Moringa. The pods
are around 65 cm long, and weigh about 120 g. Yield is reported to be 1000-1200 pods per tree.
3.1.3 Chavakacheri Moringa
An ecotype of Jaffna Moringa, it bears pods as long as 90-120 cm. It is also cultivated in Tamil Nadu.
3.1.4 Chemmurungai
Another ecotype of Jaffna Moringa, it flowers and fruits throughout the year, yielding a heavy crop. The tips of
the pods are red. The tree is medium sized and bearing long pods.
3.1.5 Jaffna type
A Yazhphanam type Moringa introduced from Sri Lanka. Its fruits are 60-90 cm long with soft flesh and good
taste. This type yields around 40 pods from the second year of planting which increases up to 600 pods/tree from
the third year onwards. It is cultivated commercially in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts of Tamil Nadu.
3.1.6 Kattumurungai
A wild form of Moringa,
M. concanensis
found in the forest of Tamil Nadu.
3.1.7 Kodikkal murungai
It is cultivated predominantly in the betel vine gardens of Tiruchirapalli district of Tamil Nadu. The pods are
shorter (20-25 cm long) and are thick fleshed. The pods and leaves are very tasty. Trees are short statured with
smaller leaves.
3.1.8 Palmurungai
It is preferred for its thick pulp and tasty pods.
3.1.9 Punamurungai
It is grown in home gardens of Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts.
3.1.10 Palamedu Moringa
The pods are 60 cm long, with a pod weight of 95-100 g and a yield of 100 pods/tree.
3.2 Annual Moringa varieties
The Horticultural College and Research Institute of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam, had an
assemblage of 85 Moringa accessions. The germplasm collection block contains perennial and annual Moringa
accessions with heavy fruit-bearing, cluster bearing, drought tolerance, dwarfing stature and pest and disease
resistance. Scientists at the Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Periyakulam have succeeded in developing seed-propagated Moringa types, which has revolutionized the
Moringa cultivation in the country. By judicious breeding programs, including introduction of elite mother plants,
evaluation, selection and hybridization, The Horticultural College and Research Institute of Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University has released two improved annual Moringa varieties (PKM-1, PKM-2) within a span of
10 years, for commercial cultivation. These varieties have developed up well in many traditional and
non-traditional areas (Sadashathi, 1995).
