Effects of Farmyard Manure and Integrated Weed Management on Okra Growth Parameters (Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench) at Dadinkowa

Abstract

Field trials were conducted during 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of Federal College of Horticulture Dadinkowa in Sudan savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The objectives of the trial were; to determine the effects of farmyard manure and integrated weed management on okra growth. The treatments were laid out in a split-plot design with farmyard manure rates occupying the main plots; while integrated weed management rates were allocated to the sub-plots and replicated three times. Farmyard manure was applied to affected plots a week before sowing okra, while pendimethalin 500 EC was applied pre-emergence at the rate of 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1 immediately after sowing. Results revealed that the effects of farmyard manure and integrated weed management were significant on plant height (P≤5%), number of leaves plant-1, number of branches plant-1 and leaf area plant-1. It was observed that the control treatments of no farmyard manure applied and no weed control significantly gave lower means on okra growth parameters, while application of 4 t ha-1 of farmyard manure and weeding once at 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 WAS together with 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1 of pendimethalin 500 EC significantly gave higher means on the same traits, as well as integrated weed management.