Effect of time of mulching and plant spacing on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Abakaliki agroecolgical zone

Abstract

The effect of time of mulching and plant spacing on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) was evaluated. The experiment was conducted as a 4 x 3 factorial laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments were four different times of mulching ( zero mulching, mulching at 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 7 weeks after planting respectively) and three plant spacing ( 30cm x 50 cm, 40cm x 50cm and 50cm x 50cm).Each treatment was replicated four times. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and number of fruits, weight, length and diameter of fruits were highest at mulching at 3 weeks after planting and the least values in these parameters was obtained with zero mulching. The number of leaves, leaf area, days to 50% anthesis, number of fruits, weight, length, and width of fruits were highest at 50cm x 50cm. The closest plant spacing (30cm x 50cm) and non- mulching consistently produced the least values in all the yield parameters measured.