Yield, Time of Maximum CO2 Exchange Rate, and Leaf-area Index of `Clemson Spineless' Okra Are Affected by Within-row Spacing

Abstract

A 2-year field study was conducted to determine the effects of within-row spacing (WRS) on CO2 exchange rate (CER), leaf-area index (LAI), and yield of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Okra cultivar Clemson Spineless was seeded at WRS of 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, and 48 cm in a randomized complete-block design replicated three times. CER and LAI were measured five times at about biweekly intervals between first flowering and final harvest. Fruits were harvested three times weekly for 7 weeks. There was no year-to-year variation in CER or LAI. Plants at 8 cm WRS attained maximum CER by 56 days after planting (DAP), while all other spacings took longer. CER at all WRS declined after 85 DAP. In 8 and 16 cm WRS, maximum LAI developed by 56 DAP, but 69 DAP were required at all other spacing. Depending on the spacing, LAI regressed linearly or cubically on DAP. Fruit number/plant (FNP), fruit fresh and dry weight/plant (FFW and FDW), and fresh and dry fruit yield/ha (FFY and DFY) were greater in 1991 than in 1990 as a result of more favorable weather during 1991. There was a linear increase in FNP, FFW, and FDW as WRS increased. Conversely, FFY and DFY were highest at 8 cm and decreased linearly in 1990 and quadratically in 1991 as WRS increased. Results of this study suggest that okra plants reach maximum CER and LAI earlier and produce higher fruit yield per unit area when spaced close together in the row.