Response of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Varieties to Sole and Combined Organic and Inorganic Fertilization in the Sudan Savanna Ecological Zone of Kebbi state

Abstract

Muhammad A, Sanda HY, Aliyu U, Idris BA4 and Yusuf H

Field experiments were conducted in two locations at the University Teaching and Research Farms during 2016/2017 dry season. The two locations were: Fadama Teaching and Research farm at Jega (lat. 12°12.99’ N; long. 4° 21.90’; 197m above sea level) and the University orchard at Aliero (lat. 12°18.64’N; long. 4°29.85’; 262 above sea level). Both Jega and Aliero are located within Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. The aim was to determine the response of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L. Moench) Varieties to sole and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer. The treatments consisted of factorial combination of three Okra varieties (LD 88, NHAE47-4 and Dogo variety) and six (6) fertilizers levels, each designed to supply the recommended dosage of 120 kg N ha-1 using a compound fertilizer NPK [15:15:15], poultry manure and cow dung. Results revealed that growth and yield parameters such as plant height (8WAP), number of branches (8WAP), number of pods per plant, pod mean weight (g), pod mean length (cm) and fresh pod yield (ha-1) were significantly increased when the recommended nitrogen dose of 120kgNha-1 was applied using 100% NPK (800kg NPK [15:15:15/ha]) or a combination of NPK and PM at 50:50 ratio in conjunction with NHAE47-4. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that the integration of organic and inorganic fertilizer in form of NPK compound fertilizer and poultry manure combination at 50:50 ratio in conjunction with NHAE47-4 could be adopted for higher Okra pod yield, considering the complimentary role of poultry manure in improving the physical quality of the soil.

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