Growth and yield of okra (abelmoschusesculentus I. Moench) in Jatropha (jatrophacurcas) interplant

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out between April and July 2011 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ibadan to evaluate the growth and yield of okra (<i>Abelmoschusesculentus</i> L. Moench) interplanted with Jatropha (<i>Jatrophacurcas</i> L.) using different plant spacings. Two okra varieties (NHAe 47-4 and LD 88) were grown in an alley of one year old Jatropha spaced at 3 m x 3 musing three plant spacing: 30cm x 30 cm, 45 cm x 45 cm and 60 cm x 50 cm and replicated three times in a Randomised Complete Block Design. Control experimental plots (sole crop of okra) ofthe two varieties and three different plant spacing were also established. Results showed that okra height was significantly different among the varieties, spacing and cropping systems: NHAe47-4 was significantly tallerthan LD88. First flower emergence was observed in the NHAe47-4 variety of okra on the 52~ day in the interplant. The highest weight of fresh okra pods per plant obtained was 10.03g from the 60 cm x 50 cm plant spacing in the sole crop. Jatropha stands were taller and formed canopy before the end of the experiment resulting in poor performance of okra in the interplant. The introduction of okra into jatropha plantation requires the use of suitable variety of okra and proper plant spacing of component crops.