RESPONSE OF OKRA TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NPK 20:10:10 FERTILIZER IN AN EXPERIMENTAL FARM IN ASABA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The field experiment assessed the influence of different levels of NPK 20:10:10 on the growth and yield of okra. The study was carried out on experimental site close to low rice Experimental Field (Fadama), Department of Agronomy, Delta State University, Asaba Campus in 2009 cropping sea- son. Five levels of NPK 20:10:10 were applied (0, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg/ha), replicated four times. The okra variety used was lady finger. Both the fertilizer and okra seeds were obtained from ADP, Ibusa, Asaba. Parameters considered were: plant height, number of leaves, plant girth, total leaf area, number of pods per plant and pod yield per hectare. Pre planting soil analysis was also conducted. The growth and yield data collected were subjected to analysis of variance, differences among treatments mean were separated using DMRT at 5% level probability. The result of the soil analysis shows that the experimental site was deficient in some major nutrient elements (N, K and Mg). There were significant differences among the levels of NPK 20:10:10 application. Growth parameters increases with age of plant. The highest number of pod was observed at 300 kg/ha and it was significantly higher than the lower levels. Also, 300 kg/ha had the highest pod yield per hec- tare, though it was not significantly different from 250 kg/ha but was significantly different from the other lower levels. Therefore, 250 kg/ha is recommended to farmers in Asaba and its environs for optimum okra production.