Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) cv. Arka Anamika

Abstract

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, U.P. during the year 2018. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments involved in the study were eight in numbers i.e. T1 Control (no fertilizers), T2 (125 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 + 60 kg K2O /ha), T3 (100 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 + 48 kg K2O + 5 t FYM /ha) T4 (100 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 + 48 kg K2O + 12 q VC /ha), T5 (75 kg N + 30 kg P2O5 + 36 kg K2O + 10 t FYM /ha), T6 (75 kg N +30 kg P2O5 + 36 kg K2O + 24 q VC /ha), T7 (25 t FYM /ha), T8 (60 q VC /ha). All variable parameters regarding vegetative and reproductive parameters of okra were significantly influenced by integrated nutrient management practices. Soil of the experimental field was sandy loam and neutral in pH reaction. The present investigation clearly indicate that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers i.e. T6 (75 kg N +30 kg P2O5 + 36 kg K2O + 24 q VC /ha) had the better effect on growth and yield parameters viz., plant height (129.11 cm), number of nodes on main stem (19.23), fresh weight of plant (351.13 g), dry weight of plant (72.12 g), number of pods per plant (16.13), length of pod (15.80 cm) and yield (134.14 q /ha) as compared to other treatments in case of okra cv. Arka Anamika under Western Uttar Pradesh conditions. On the basis of present investigation, it may be concluded that an integrated use of organic manure with chemical fertilizer increased the growth and yield of okra than that of sole application of either chemical fertilizer or organic manures.