Growth and yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) varieties as affected by poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer application

Abstract

A trial to investigate the effect of poultry manure on the growth and yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) was conducted in the Teaching and Research Farm of Ibrahim Badamsi Babangida University during the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. The trial was a factorial experiment consisting of two varieties of Okra (NH Ae 47-4 and LD88-1) and five rates of poultry manure (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1). Inorganic fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10) was applied at the rate of 200kg ha-1. The experiment was fitted into randomized complete block design (RCBD). Poultry manure applied at 20 t ha-1 and inorganic fertilizer significantly produced taller plants, more leaves and more fruits. Non application of fertilizer significantly delayed flowering. In 2012, poultry manure at 20 t ha-1 and inorganic fertilizer statistically gave similar fruit weight which was significantly higher than other treatments. The highest fruit yield (13 t ha-1) in 2013 was obtained with poultry manure at 20 t ha-1. The varietal difference was not significant in most of the parameters measured.