Assessment of Two Varieties of Okra Grown on Spent Mushroom Substrate Amended Soil and their Associated Fungi

Abstract

Assessment of two varieties of okra grown on spent mushroom substrate amended soil and their associated fungi were carried out at the River State University Teaching and Research Farm. Spent mushroom Substrate collected from the Diplomat Farm was treated and three different concentrations (6.0, 12.0 and 18kg) were prepared and used as amendments on 12.5 kg soil, with the untreated soil as control. A total of four treatments were established Viz A1B1, A2B1, A3B1 and B as control for the field and green house experiments respectively. The local (C1) and improved (C2) varieties of okra were grown in a randomised complete block design in triplicates for the various treatments in the field. Fruiting of the treatment plants began at week 8 after planting in the field experiment for A1B1C1 and A2B1C1 (local variety) and A1B1C2, A2B1C2, A3B1C2 and BC2 (improved variety) treatments. Highest number of fruits (8.33±0.58) was recorded for the improved variety grown on A3B1C2 treatment. Meanwhile, the local variety on A2B1C1 treatment had highest fresh weight (9.35±0.07g) and dry weight (3.35±0.07g) of total weight of harvest. Fungi investigation on harvested fruits revealed the occurrence of three fungal organisms (Aspergillus sp., Mucorsp. and Penicilliumsp.). The local variety recorded more fungal organisms including Aspergillus and Mucor at incidence of 40% and 60% respectively. However, only Penicillium was recorded for the improved variety at an incidence of 100%. Generally, both varieties of okra completed their life cycle, although the amended soils supported better performance compared to those grown in the control soil. The improved variety had higher yield and less fungi contaminants than the local variety. Therefore, the cultivation of the improved variety should be encouraged