EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MULCHING MATERIALS AND RATE OF APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L. )

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at University Organic–Agriculture farm, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta in 2011 to determine the response of different mulching materials on growth and yield of okra. It was a 3x3 factorial laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with the main factor as the plant material Chromolaena odorata (CO) Glycine max (GM) and Panicum maximum ( PM) while rate ( 0, 5 and 10t/ha) of mulching materials were applied once before the first cropping was the sub-factor and all were replicated three times. Data were collected on growth parameters and yield attributes of okra (NHAE- 47-4) at first and second planting. The parameters assessed were significantly influenced (P <0.05) by the mulching material and rate of application. Higher values for plant height ( 56.3cm and 60.7cm ) , number of leaves ( 22 and 22) and stem girth (1.5cm and 2.1cm) at 16 weeks after planting (WAP) were obtained during the first and second planting from CO application of 10t/ha. Although, the higher number of flowers ( 14 and 21), number of pods ( 29 and 21) and weight of pods/plant (0.51kg and 0.44kg) were derived from PM when 10t/ha was used at 16 WAP during both plantings. Thus, optimum okra yield were obtained with application of 10t/ha of plant residues, therefore, mulching with PM residues at 10t/ha is recommended for high fruit yield of okra in the region of investigation.