Effects of different fertilizers on growth, yield and root knot nematode Meloidogyne spp in Okra Abelmoschus esculentus under field condition in Summer Season in Chitwan, Nepal

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at Agriculture and Forestry University, horticulture farm to determine the effects of different fertilizers on root knot nematode and yield on Okra (var. Arka Anamika) at summer season in inner terai region of Chitwan, Nepal. The treatment was carried out in the completely randomized block design (RCBD) with 7 treatments replicated 3 times. The treatment included: goat manure, sesame seed cake, mustard seed cake, poultry manure, furacron, vermicompost plus untreated control including only chemical fertilizer (NPK). All treatments were added to provide the sufficient amount of Nitrogen required for the crop as recommended by Nepal Agriculture Research Council. Remaining amount of required Phosphorous and potassium was supplied by adding Single Super Phosphate and Muriate of potash respectively. The germination percentage was found significantly superior in Furacron (93.33%) and followed by goat manure (92.67%), vermicompost (86.67%), sesame (til) seed cake (82.67%), mustard oilcake (81.67%), control i.e. NPK (76.67%) and poultry manure (61%). Similarly, In terms of number of galls , furacron (3.43) was found the most effective followed by goat manure (5.60), Poultry Manure (6.63), Mustard Seed Cake (8.47), Sesame cake (9.07), vermicompost (16.60) and control (21.96). In terms of yield, poultry manure (20mt/ha) was found superior followed by vermicompost (17.38mt/ha), goat manure (16.72 mt/ha), sesame (til) seed cake (16.62mt/ha), furacron (14.61 mt/ha), mustard oilcake (12.97 mt/ha) and control (10.51mt/ha). The highest net profit was found in case of Poultry manure while the lowest incremental cost benefit ratio was obtained in Furacron and followed by Goat Manure, Poultry manure, Vermicompost, Sesame (til) seed cake and Mustard seed cake. The highest yield (20t/ha) and nematode control was obtained in Poultry manure which is at par with Furacron treatment. This experiments suggests the use of Furacron or poultry manure will provide more economic return and also decreases the root knot nematode in okra.