Innovative farming techniques for superior okra yield in Chitwan, Nepal: The benefits of plastic film mulch and pest exclusion net on soil properties, growth, quality and profitability

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a large-acreage cultivated, nutritious, commercial fruit vegetable crop in tropical and subtropical regions that plays a dominant role in Nepalese cuisine in the summer. Modified growing conditions through pest exclusion nets (PEN) and types of mulch on okra might be effective techniques to enhance yield and marketable production. Research is performed to investigate the effects of PEN and plastic film on the performance and yield of okra. An experiment laid out single factorial randomized complete block design with four replications and five treatments consists of: a) Control (No net + no mulch), b) Organic mulch (Rice straw mulch), c) Black plastic mulch, d) Silver plastic mulch, e) Pest exclusion net + black plastic mulch; on Swastik-2 F1 variety. The data were analyzed R software at the (p ≤ 0.05) level of significance and mean comparison is done using (Dunken Multiple Range Test) DMRT. This study revealed that silver plastic mulch and black plastic mulch treatment statistically resulted in pars & significantly higher yield (30.74 and 29.39 mt ha−1), leaf number/plant (27.98 and 26.73), branch number/plant (5 all), fruit number/plant (33 & 29) and the lowest days to flowering (39 & 40 days) compared to control; while PEN+black plastic mulching treatment resulted in higher plant height (212.93 cm), stem diameter (2.54 cm), fruit length (18.26 cm), fruit diameter (1.73 cm), fruit weight (32.80 g), longest days to flowering (43 days) and lowest leaf number per plant (15.58), branches/plant (4), yield (20.4 mt ha−1), light intensity (110.32 lx) which is undesirable yield perspectives but insect pest population is significantly lower in PEN results superior quality than other treatmets. Black plastic films and PEN+ black mulch raise soil temperature (max 34.89 °C) and increase soil moisture (18.15% vol) during germination. Plant inside PEN +black plastic mulching received low light intensity had higher vegetative growth but found with low yield. Plants in control and straw mulch treatments were found to have low vegetative growth and yield (22.7 and 24.4 tons/ha). Farmers can use silver and Black plastic plastics mulch, which are economically more viable and Productive as compared to other treatments for commercial cultivation of okra.