Influence of Poultry Manure Rates on the Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) in Rivers State

Abstract

Knowledge of optimum rates of poultry manure application is of immense significance in the correction of the soil nutrient deficiencies for crop production. Manure application is of importance to both the soil amendment and in the growth and yield of crops. Leaching, pattern of cropping, use of non-certified seeds and non-improved varieties have hampered the efficient growth and yield of okra. The study was conducted to examine the growth and yield responses of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) to poultry manure rates in Rivers State. The research study became imperative to examine how rate of poultry manure could affect the production of okra. The experiment utilized three rates of poultry manure, 0-tons (control), 5-tonsha-1 and 10-tonha-1and the treatment combination arranged in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) replicated three times. Growth characteristics measured were, plant height, stem thickness, leaf area and number of leaves per plant while yield parameters measured were pod length, seeds per pod, total number of pods, pod yield per hectare. The results revealed that appropriate rate of poultry manure application in the production of okra has the capacity to increase okra growth and yield in Rivers State. The use of 10-tonha-1 of poultry manure performed better than other poultry manure rates and so it’s recommended that okra farmers in the study area should apply 10-tonha-1 for high quality and quantity production of okra in  Rivers State.