Optimizing Okra Growth, Seed Productivity and Quality Using Nanourea along with Conventional Fertilization

Abstract

The demand for good quality seeds has been increasing with the increase in production of okra over the years. In addition to this, okra seeds can be directly consumed as a caffeine-free alternative to coffee and have also been utilized for oil extraction to a limited extent. The present research investigated the impact of nanourea application in combination with inorganic fertilizers on growth, seed productivity and quality of okra (cv. Hisar Unnat) at the Regional Research Centre, Raiya (Jhajjar) of MHU in Haryana in the spring summer season of the year 2023. The crop was sown in RCBD with ten treatments of foliar nanourea application in combination with recommended doses of conventional fertilizers. The quality of the harvested seed was analyzed at CCS HAU, seed testing laboratory, Hisar. The results revealed that earliest flowering and fruit setting were observed with treatment T2 (100% RDF) while maximum nodes per plant, seed yield, quantity of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight (g), germination (%), length of seedling (cm), their dry weight (mg), vigour indices I and II were obtained with treatment T4 (100% RDF + nanourea application @ 4ml/l at 25 and 40 DAS). Application of nanourea twice @ 4ml/l in addition to 100% RDF resulted in 5.36% increase in seed yield and 3.1% increase in germination percentage over treatment T2 (100% RDF). Reduction in inorganic fertilization i.e. 75%-50% RDF (T5-T8) resulted in reduced seed productivity and overall quality even with nanourea applications. It can be concluded from the experiment that nanourea helps in enhancing seed productivity and quality when used as a supplement rather than a substitute to the recommended fertilizer doses.