Okra Farmers Research Articles

Reduce pests, enhance production: benefits of intercropping at high densities for okra farmers in Cameroon.

Intercropping can help reduce insect pest populations. However, the results of intercropping can be pest- and crop-species specific, with varying effects on crop yield, and pest suppression success. In Cameroon, okra vegetable is often grown in intercropped fields and sown with large distances between planting rows (∼ 2 m). Dominant okra pests include cotton aphids, leaf beetles and whiteflies. In a field experiment, we intercropped okra with maize and bean in different combinations (okra monoculture, okra-bean, okra-maize and okra-bean-maize) and altered plant densities (high and low) to test for the effects of diversity, crop identity and planting distances on okra pests, their predators and yield. We found crop identity and plant density, but not crop diversity to influence okra pests, their predators and okra yield. Only leaf beetles decreased okra yield and their abundance reduced at high plant density. Overall, okra grown with bean at high density was the most economically profitable combination. We suggest that when okra is grown at higher densities, legumes (e.g. beans) should be included as an additional crop. Intercropping with a leguminous crop can enhance nitrogen in the soil, benefiting other crops, while also being harvested and sold at market for additional profit. Manipulating planting distances and selecting plants based on their beneficial traits may thus help to eliminate yield gaps in sustainable agriculture. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Weed species structural and functional composition of okra fields and field periphery under different management intensities along the rural-urban gradient of two West African cities

In urban and peri-urban agricultural production systems of Sub-Saharan African cities, diverse and functional complex weed communities may help to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services and therefore indirectly support crop performance. However, effects of agricultural intensification and urbanisation on important weed diversity in the West African region had received so far little attention, although in Burkina Faso and Ghana up to 90 per cent of the population depends on agriculture as a main source of income generation. Hence, our research focussed on the analysis of changes in weed assemblages’ structure and function of okra fields that were cultivated under different management intensities and were embedded into the rural, peri-urban and urban environment of two West African cities: Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Tamale (Ghana). We found a strong relationship between gender and market orientation of okra cultivation. Market orientation of okra farmers was also a major driver in shaping weed species assemblages and led to the development of a distinct weed assemblage in urban areas that even showed higher diversity in weeds’ function. Morphological plant traits (life form, seed properties) were most affected by agricultural practises; distribution pattern of ecological traits (seed dispersal mode, pollination vector) seemed to be influenced additionally by environmental characteristics with less entomophilous but more ornithochorous weed species on okra fields within urban areas. Our results revealed that the management of okra was highly variable and that this variation was influenced by farmers’ socioeconomic background leading to changes in soil properties. These in turn may alter the functional diversity of beneficial weed communities beyond changes in species richness by potentially harming the provisioning of ecosystem services such as pest control and pollination.

Determinants of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Production and Profitability in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.

The profitability of okra farmers in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State of Nigeria was investigated. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 100 farmers from six towns in the study area. The data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Percentage and net farm income were used to capture the objectives of the study. The result revealed that majority of okra farmers were males, small scaled in operation and had no access to credit. The educational level, household size, and farming experience were the determinant variables to the profitability of the farm. The price parameter for labor, land value, pesticide and output price impacted significantly on the profitability of farmers. Okra is profitable in the study area with Net farm income of N265,356. The study recommended on the need to enhance farmers’ access to improved production inputs (such as fertilizer and seed), education and credit.

Some Okra Production Decisions and Farmers’ Awareness of Meloidogyne species Infection in Two Agro-ecologies, Ghana

A survey was conducted among okra farmers in two agro-ecologies (forest guinea savanna transition and moist semi-deciduous forest) of Ghana between August and December 2014, to assess their production decisions and awareness of the Meloidogyne species infection menace in okra. There were 240 respondents and more males (58%) than females (42%). Thirty nine percent (39%) of the farmers had no formal education and 48% had basic education. Approximately 56% had been cultivating okra for up to 10 years. Sixty four percent (64%) did not treat their okra seeds before sowing. Eighty five percent (85%) cultivated okra on commercial scale level (>3 acres). About 65% practiced sole cropping. Whilst 45, 79, 15 and 47% of the farmers responded positively to the Meloidogyne species infection awareness in okra in the Atwima Nwabiagya, Wenchi, Atebubu Amantin and Kintampo North Districts respectively, none was aware of the infection in the Ejura Sekyedumasi and Offinso North Districts. All, 61, 88, 86, 95 and 72% of the farmers in the Ejura Sekyedumasi, Kintampo North, Atebubu Amantin, Wenchi, Offinso North and Atwima Nwabiagya Districts respectively did not manage the infection. This was first survey study in

Soil Application of Cow Dung with Foliar Application of Boost Extra, Effect on Growth and Yield of Okra in an Ultisol, Nigeria

Experiments were carried out at the student’s experimental field, Kabba College of Agriculture, Horticulture section to examine the effect of soil application of cow dung combined with foliar application of boost extra on growth and yield of okra in an ultisol, Nigeria. The land was ploughed each year and harrowed with the aid of tractor mounted implements. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments consisted of A = 3t/ha cow dung, B = 1.0 L/ha foliar + 2.5t/ha cow dung, C =1.5L/ha foliar + 2t/ha cow dung, D = 2 L/ha foliar + 1.5 t/ha cow dung, E = 2.5L/ha foliar + 1.0t/ha cow dung, F = 3t/ha foliar. Each year experiment was conducted using a single field having dimension of 35 by 14m which was laid out into three blocks with 1m guard row between blocks. Each block consists of six plots (5 by 4m) and 1m guard row between plots. Cow dung manure was applied a week before planting. Okra variety Lady’s finger was used. Three seeds per hole were planted on April 4th in both years on the flat with a spacing of 60cm x 25cm between and within the rows and later thinned to one plant per stand. Data taken included plant height at 50 % flowering, number of branches per plant, leaf area, pod length, pod diameter, number of pods per plant; and pod weight and yield (t/ha). The data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) while the Least Significant Difference (LSD) was used to separate treatment means. The result shows that plot treated with 2.0L/ha foliar + 1.5 t/ha cow dung had the best performance in yield and yield components in this study. It is therefore recommended that okra farmers should integrated foliar fertilizer (boost extra) at the rate of 2L per hectare with cow dung at rate of 1.5t per hectare be used for okra production in the study area.

English

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the horticultural crops commonly grown in Zimbabwe but the productivity of the crop is hampered by poor erratic seed germination due to dormancy. A study was carried out at Bindura University of Science Education to determine the best method and treatment combination of breaking okra seed dormancy. Viability tests and germination tests were conducted first to ascertain that failure of germination was due to dormancy. The study consisted of 3 laboratory experiments arranged as factorial treatment structure laid in a completely randomised design with 3 replications. The 3 experiments consisted of 3 methods of breaking seed dormancy (water soaking, acid scarification and dry heating). Each of the different methods was employed at different exposure duration and at different temperature/concentration levels. Germination was measured for 14 days to determine the total final percentage seed germination. Acid scarified seeds for 3 min at 80% H2SO4 concentration level had the best germination percentage of 96.6% followed by dry heating for 5 minutes at 70°C and soaking for 12 h at 30°C which had 92.2 and 91.3% germination respectively. However, H2SO4 scarification for 5 min at 60% concentration gave the least germination of 44% followed by soaking for 48 h at 30°C and dry heating for 5 min at 80°C which all resulted in 50% germination. Based on the research findings, 80% H2SO4 for 3 min can be used by okra farmers to break dormancy while dry heating for 5 min at 70°C and soaking for 12 h at 30°C are equally good alternatives.   Key words: Dormancy, germination, okra, scarification.

A Survey and Perception of Farmers on Okra (<i>Abelmoschus Esculentus</i> (L.) Moench) Diseases in the Rain Forest Agroecology of Kwara State, Nigeria

One hundred and twenty okra farms in twenty locations in the rain-forest agroecology of Kwara State, Nigeria were surveyed. The objectives were to study the socio-economic characteristics of okra farmers and ascertain the incidence of okra diseases. Disease incidence was estimated based on thirty (30) plant observations per field and the percentage incidence was based on number of infected plants relative to the total number of plants. The list of okra farmers in each farm site formed the sampling frames from which okra farmers were selected using a random sampling procedure. In all 120 okra farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The disease survey showed that okra was very susceptible to pathogenic diseases in the study area. The results however indicated variation in disease incidence across locations (46.8 to 62.7%). The socio-economic analysis revealed that the farmers were predominantly migrants (66.7%). They were mostly males (91.7%), married (65%), in the age bracket of 30 to 39 years (45.8%), with formal education (67.5%) and majority had farming experience of 31 to 40 years (38.3%). The farmers (88.3%), also adduced diseases to be a problem on okra and 47.5% rated diseases as being very severe on the field. A proper enumeration of disease incidence in relation to agroecology is key to the design of effective control measures. An up-date on the socioeconomic status would also ensure that the potential of the farmer is judiciously harnessed in order to achieve optimum okra production in the study area. Keywords : Agroecology, Diseases, Incidence, Okra, Socio-economic factors, Survey.

Industrial Applications of Selected JFS Articles

Industrial Applications of Selected <i>JFS</i> Articles

An Overview of Okra Production, Processing, Marketing, Utilization and Constraints in Ayaragu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study was carried out into the production, processing, marketing, utilization and constraints of Okra in Ayaragu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Data was collected through the use of a well structured questionnaire and Field observations from 60 Okra farmers using simple random sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result reveals that majority of the respondents are within their active productive age, with a mean age of 30.5 years, the male sex dominated the production process while 76.7% are married acquiring at least secondary education (41.7%) which aided their ability to understand and adopt new innovation meant to increase productivity. Production was small – scale carried out majorly on farm size of 0.5ha. Processing was carried out using traditional technique of slicing, crushing and grating. Okra utilization was fresh and dried mostly to make draw soup. Marketing was carried out at the farm gate and local market. Among the noteable constraints to increase production and marketing are fluctuation of prices and bad roads. If these constraints are adequately cater for it will positively enhance productivity.

Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finisher Broilers FedRice Offal Based Diets Supplemented with Exogenous Enzyme

The study was carried out into the production, processing, marketing, utilization and constraints of Okra in Ayaragu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Data was collected through the use of a well structured questionnaire and Field observations from 60 Okra farmers using simple random sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result reveals that majority of the respondents are within their active productive age, with a mean age of 30.5 years, the male sex dominated the production process while 76.7% are married acquiring at least secondary education (41.7%) which aided their ability to understand and adopt new innovation meant to increase productivity. Production was small – scale carried out majorly on farm size of 0.5ha. Processing was carried out using traditional technique of slicing, crushing and grating. Okra utilization was fresh and dried mostly to make draw soup. Marketing was carried out at the farm gate and local market. Among the noteable constraints to increase production and marketing are fluctuation of prices and bad roads. If these constraints are adequately cater for it will positively enhance productivity.

Insecticidal Efficacy &lt;i&gt;Mitrocarpus villosus&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Momordica charantia&lt;/i&gt; Extracts for the Control of Flea Beetles Podagrica spp. Jacq. (Coleoptera: Chysomelidae) on Okra &lt;i&gt;Abelmoschus esculentus&lt;/i&gt; (L.) Moench

Okra is one of the most important vegetables in terms of consumption and production in Nigeria. However, a number of insects are known to attack both the leaves and fruits. In light of recent increased interest in developing plant based secondary chemistry into products suitable for integrated pest management, the objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of Momordica charantia and Mitrocarpus villosus crude extracts against the flea beetles on V 35 okra variety under field conditions. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The plant extracts were obtained by pounding 1 kg of plant materials using mortar and pestle and soaked overnight in 3 lts of cold water. Synthetic insecticide (Lambda cyhalothrin) was used as check to monitor the effectiveness of the plant extracts. All treatment was applied from crop establishment till harvest. Result obtained showed that at 50 days after planting (DAP) all the treatments significantly (P<0.05) suppressed flea beetle infestation. Fresh fruit (pods) weights obtained from plot sprayed with plant extract were not significantly different from synthetic insecticide treated plots. While pod density per plant in the plots treated with M. villosus and M. charantia leaves extract in the study was significantly (P<0.05) different from the insecticide (Lambda cyhalothrin) treated plots, the control treatment produced highest pod density (23.50 pods/plant) followed by M. villosus (20.33 pods/plant) and M. charantia (19.20 pods/plant). It is evident from the study that crude extracts of M. villosus and M. charantia could be used as plant based biopesticides as alternatives to synthetic insecticides to manage flea beetle on okra. They have proven to be effective and could be exploited and used by small to medium scale okra farmers.

Use of Cultural Practices, Economic Impact of Insecticide Use, and Awareness and Practice of Insecticide Safety Precaution on Okra Production

ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to determine the effects of cultural practices (cropping pattern and use of insecticides) on okra production (yield), the economics of insecticide use and the users' awareness and practice levels of insecticide safety precautions. The sampled populations were users and non-users of insecticides. Data were collected on cultural practices, okra field size, number of farms, yield and prices of okra production inputs, prices and types of insecticides, and awareness and practice of safety precautions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, partial budgetary and regression techniques, and residual and sensitivity analyses. Results indicated that cropping pattern and use of insecticides have significant effects on yield. Partial budgetary and regression analyses showed that insecticides use on okra farms was economically superior to non-use providing an additional Net Benefit of 8,560 per ha ( = Naira, Nigerian currency, exchange rate $1US = 130). Marginal analysis indicated a marginal rate of return of 3.14. Sensitivity analysis revealed that prices of insecticides will have to increase by more than 145.5%, and/or yield and the price of okra has to fall by more than 51.7% for insecticide use to be less favored only on economic grounds. The insecticides used by okra farmers were hazardous, and high proportions of the local farmers were not aware of, and did not practice safety precautions. In order to realize the full economic benefit of insecticide use without its adverse effects, efforts should be directed at creating awareness and encouraging the use of insecticide handling and application safety precautions.

Resource-use efficiency in okra production among smallholder farmers in Ika south and north east local government areas of Delta state, Nigeria

This study examined the efficiency of resource use among smallholder okra farmers in Ika South and North Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was adopted in the selection of 113 okra farmers for the study using questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and marginal analyses. The result shows that most of the okra farmers were female. The mean age of the okra farmers was 47 year, while majority (90.3%) of the respondents were married. The mean household size was 5 persons, while the average farming experience was 20 years. The average farms size was 20.3 hectares. Three functional forms were tested and the linear function was chosen based on the number and significance of the parameters. The coefficient of multiple determination (R2) was 0.501which indicates that 50.1% of the variation in the output of Okra was accounted for by the independent variables in the model. The result of the marginal analysis showed that labour, farm size, fertilizer and planting material were underutilized as their ratios were greater than one, while herbicide on the other hand was over utilized. The study recommended that in other to increase the output of okra in the study area farmers have to increase the use of farm size, labour, fertilizer and planting materials since they are technically operating in stage 1 of the production process. Also, the use of herbicide should be decreased in other for these resources to be efficiently utilized.Key word: Resource-use. Okra production, multiple regression, marginal analysis