Abstract
Experiments were carried out at the Research Site of Horticultural Section, Kabba College of Agriculture to investigate the influence of different nitrogen sources on the growth and yield of three varieties of okra. The experiment was laid out in split block design with varieties as main plots (Lady Finger “LF”, LD88 and Okele (local cultivar)) and different nitrogen sources as sub plots (Urea (108.7 kgN/ha), poultry manure (PM) (3.01 t/ha = 108.7 kgN/ha) and cow dung (CWD) (3.83 t/ha = 108.7 kgN/ha). The treatment combinations were as follows LD88 + Urea, LD88 + PM, LD88 + CWD, LF + Urea, LF + PM and LF + CWD, Okele + Urea (108.7 kg/ha), Okele + PM and Okele + CWD. Growth parameters determined were plant height (cm), leafarea (cm2), number of leaves produced, stem girth (cm), internode length (cm) and days to 50% flowering and podding. Flower characters taken were number of flowers produced per plant, number of flowers aborted per plant, and number of pods produced per plant. Yield characters determined were individual pod weight (g), pod length (cm), pod diameter (cm) and pod yield (t/ha). The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means compared using the least significant difference (LSD) at a probability level of 5%. Urea application and poultry manure had significantly different effects compared with cow dung treated plots for the parameters of growth and yield. Highest mean value was observed with urea application. This was followed by poultry manure application. The cultivar Lady’s finger performed better according to the data for number of pods and fresh pod weight. This was followed by the LD88 cultivars. Okra grew taller and had bigger stem girth, greater number of leaves, larger leaf area and higher number of pods and fresh pod weight with urea application. Cultivar Lady’s finger performed better than the other cultivars in most measured parameters. It is therefore recommended that lady finger should be grown by farmers in the study area with their soil amended with urea fertilizer in the study area.
Highlights
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an annual herb and vegetable crop grown throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of the world either as the sole crop or intercrop with maize or another crop [1]
This study was designed to investigate the effect of different nutrient sources on three okra cultivars (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Data were collected at different growth stages for plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, total leaf area, number of fresh pods and fresh weight of pods
Summary
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an annual herb and vegetable crop grown throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of the world either as the sole crop or intercrop with maize or another crop [1]. Okra plays an important role in the human diet by supplying carbohydrate, protein, fats, minerals and vitamins that are usually deficient in the staple food. It is grown for its young leaves and green pods. Okra seeds contain about 20% protein similar to amino acid composition of soybean protein and 20% oil (similar in fatty acid composition to cotton seed oil) [2]. The essential and nonessential amino acid which Okra contains is comparable to that of soybean [4]. The nutritional importance of okra pod has reawakened interest in bringing the crop into commercial production
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