Effect of time of mulching and plant spacing on the growth and yield of okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> L.) in Abakaliki agroecolgical zone

Abstract

The effect of time of mulching and plant spacing on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) was evaluated. The experiment was conducted as a 4 x 3 factorial laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments were four different times of mulching ( zero mulching, mulching at 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 7 weeks after planting respectively) and three plant spacing ( 30cm x 50 cm, 40cm x 50cm and 50cm x 50cm).Each treatment was replicated four times. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and number of fruits, weight, length and diameter of fruits were highest at mulching at 3 weeks after planting and the least values in these parameters was obtained with zero mulching. The number of leaves, leaf area, days to 50% anthesis, number of fruits, weight, length, and width of fruits were highest at 50cm x 50cm. The closest plant spacing (30cm x 50cm) and non- mulching consistently produced the least values in all the yield parameters measured.