Growth and Dry Matter Accumulation of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) as Influenced by Different Plating Pattern Under Okra - Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Intercropping

Abstract

Compared to sole cropping, intercropping systems can more efficiently use the existing resources which ultimately lead to improved plant growth and dry matter accumulation. So, most of the farmers in developing countries can follow the intercropping systems with high yielding crop combinations. The experiment was carried out at the Crop Farm of Eastern University, Sri Lanka in 2018 to investigate the growth and dry matter accumulation in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) as influenced by different planting patterns under okra-cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) intercropping in sandy regosol. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Treatments were okra as a sole crop (T1), cowpea as a sole crop (T2), alternative planting of okra and cowpea (T3), 60/150 cm paired row planting of okra with two rows and three rows of cowpea in between paired rows (T4 and T5) and 75/120 cm paired row planting of okra with two rows and three rows of cowpea in between paired rows (T6 and T7). Plant height, root length, fresh and dry weights of plant, leaf area, leaf area index, canopy width and cumulative yield of okra were higher in T5, while chlorophyll content showed no significant difference (P>0.05) with different planting patterns. The present study concluded that 60/150 cm paired row planting of okra with three rows of cowpea in between paired rows (T5) would be the most suitable planting system in sandy regosol to achieve better growth and dry matter in okra.