YIELD OF ORGANIC OKRA IRRIGATED UNDER DIFFERENT METHODS OF CONDUCTION AND GROWING PERIODS

Abstract

Okra is traditionally grown in the summer, but its cultivation in the winter can bring profitability to the producer, due to the low offer of the product, especially if grown in an organic production system. This study aimed to evaluate the yield and fruit quality of okra in organic system, in summer (SM), ratoon (RT) and winter (WN) crops. The field experiments were carried out in the SIPA (Agroecological Production Integrated System) and the total yield, marketable yield, and some quality parameters such as major and minor defects, curvature and size of fruits were evaluated in the three periods. Okra yield and fruit quality were influenced by the growing period and methods of conduction, and marketable yields of 18.3, 3.0 and 10.2 Mg ha-1 were found for SM, RT and WN, respectively. The producer should opt for a new planting during the winter instead of growing the ratoon from the summer crop.