Growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. moench) as affected by different levels of agrosol foliar fertilizer

Abstract

Agrosol fertilizer do not only improves the quantity and quality of agricultural products but also has no adverse residual effect on the soil and its products. A field experiment was conducted at Federal College of Agriculture, Moor plantation, Ibadan during the 2019 cropping season to determine the rate of agrosol fertilizer needed for optimal growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) moench). Okra variety NH4-45 was used for this experiment. Agrosol foliar fertilizer was applied at the rate of 0, 2.5, 7.5 and 10 in kg/ha to okra leaves at 2, 4 and 6 WAS. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Two seeds of okra were sown at a spacing of 60x30 cm. Four plants were tagged in each plot for data collection at 3, 5 and 7 WAS. The parameter taken were plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth, number of fruit per plot and fruit weight. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS package and significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability. The result of the study revealed that 5kg/ha of agrosol foliar fertilizer produced more fruit weight of 434.85 kg/ha significantly (p≤ 0.05) than those of 0, 7.5 and 10.5gk/ha levels of agrosol foliar fertilizer. The study recommends 2.5 kg/ha of agrosol foliar fertilizer which competes favourably in yield (396.01kg/ha) with the weight of yield obtained from 5kg/ha of agrosol foliar fertilizer application.