Abstract
ABSTRACT Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, is a vegetable with annual fruit native to hot regions of Africa, well adapted to the conditions of the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil, where it is widely used by small farmers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mineral and organic fertilization on the production and quality of okra fruits. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design, with three replicates and eleven treatments defined according to a Baconian matrix. Treatments consisted of doses of N (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1), P (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) and K (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg ha-1), as well as absence and presence of organic compost (30 t ha-1). The following parameters were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, production of fruits plant-1, number of fruits plant-1, fruit length and diameter and fruit quality (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C and electrical conductivity). The crop is demanding in terms of K and N fertilizations, with increments of 15.8 and 36% in the mean number and diameter of fruits, respectively. Organic fertilization did not influence the vegetative growth of okra, but was beneficial to the production of fruits with higher vitamin C content, 52% higher than the contents found in fruits produced without such input.
Highlights
Okra is a vegetable originated from Africa, cultivated under rainfed or irrigated conditions in a wide variety of soils, and is one of the most important vegetables in the world, especially in tropical and subtropical climates (Marin et al, 2017), due to its rusticity and tolerance to heat, not requiring high levels of technology for its cultivation (Oliveira et al, 2003)
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mineral and organic fertilization on the production and quality of okra fruits
Organic fertilization did not influence the vegetative growth of okra, but was beneficial to the production of fruits with higher vitamin C content, 52% higher than the contents found in fruits produced without such input
Summary
Okra is a vegetable originated from Africa, cultivated under rainfed or irrigated conditions in a wide variety of soils, and is one of the most important vegetables in the world, especially in tropical and subtropical climates (Marin et al, 2017), due to its rusticity and tolerance to heat, not requiring high levels of technology for its cultivation (Oliveira et al, 2003). It is sensitive to salinity, with a reduction of up to 70% in the production of fresh fruits in comparison to plants cultivated in non-saline soils (Kamaluldeen et al, 2014), and to the attack of Coleoptera insects (Pitan & Ekoja, 2011) This crop plays an important role in human diet due to the supply of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins (Abd El-Kader et al, 2010). The Soil Fertility Commission of Minas Gerais (CFSMG, 1999) and the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (Raij et al, 1996) indicate doses from 20 to 120 kg ha-1 of N, from 40 to 300 kg ha-1 of P2O5 and from 20 to 240 kg ha-1 of K2O, and from 10 to 50 t ha-1 of manure These recommendations may be outdated with the development of cultivars that are more productive and more demanding in terms of nutrients. More specific studies are needed to provide recommendations of fertilizers for each region
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