Response of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) to foliar application of micronutrients

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar during 2018 to evaluate the effects of foliar sprays of different micronutrients, viz. B, Zn Cu, Mo, Fe and Mn, on plant growth, physiological and yield attributes of okra. Treatments were prepared as 100 ppm aqueous solution of each boric acid, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate and magnesium sulphate, except ammonium molybdate (taken as 50ppm). Each treatment was applied individually as well as in different combinations at 30, 45 and 60 DAS, thus making total of 14 treatments with three replications. Results indicated that different treatments markedly increased the plant growth, chlorophyll and yield of okra. The maximum plant height (156.40 cm), leaf area (5938.55 cm2), leaf area (5938.55/plant), LAI (4.39), SLW (10.1) mg/cm2) as well as leaf chlorophyll content (0.80 mg/g) were recorded when all the micronutrients were applied in combination (T7). The same treatment also recorded earliest fruit harvest (45.43 DAS) with highest number of fruits per plant (23.20), maximum fruit size (1.37 cm × 11.25 cm) and thus, fruit yield (241.74 g/plant) against the minimum plant height (116.45 cm), LAI (1.90), SLW (6.12 mg/cm2), chlorophyll content (0.50 mg/g), number of fruits (20.29/plant), fruit size (1.11 cm × 9.56 cm) and yield (183.01 g/plant) with maximum time taken (71.8 DAS) to first harvest. Finally, it can be stated that combined application of micronutrients (B, Zn Cu, Mo, Fe and Mn) as foliar sprays at 30, 45 and 60 DAS is most effective in improving plant growth, yield and yield attributes of okra.