Combined Effects of Fertilizer Type and Irrigation Method on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is an exceptional and unique crop, as all of its parts are valued for food, medicinal and even industrial purposes. However, despite these advantages, its production remains low, mainly due to soil infertility resulting from land overexploitation. In view of improving okra yield, effects of fertilizers type and irrigation method was studied, aiming at identifying the most suitable practice to optimize growth and yield. For this purpose, Okra plants received rabbit manure, wood ash, or NPK as fertilizers, with unfertilized plants used as the control. Water was supplied using two methods: drip irrigation and can watering. Plants were regularly monitored, and growth (plant height and diameter, leaves number and size) and yield parameters (fruits size and weight) were assessed using the analysis of variance test (ANOVA 2). The results revealed that fertilizers (rabbit manure and NPK) promoted plant growth and higher yields, compared to wood ash fertilisation, which itself performed better than the control (unfertilized). The heaviest fruits (40.05 g) were harvested from plants fertilized with rabbit droppings, followed by those from NPK (29.79 g) and wood ash (23.35 g), heavier than those obtained with control (19.34 g). About watering, the best agronomic performances were recorded under the drip irrigation method. The positive interaction indicates that fertilization with rabbit manure combined with drip irrigation promoted the best growth and the highest fruit yield in okra.