Growth, Dry Matter Partitioning and Yield Components of Okra Under Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nitrogens

Abstract

Pot and field experiments were conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan, Nigeria between 2004 and 2006 to determine the response of okra to organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen (N). In the pot experiment, okra varieties NHAe 47-4 was nourished with four N levels: 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N hasup>-1 and five compost rates: 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 Mg hasup>-1; while in the field experiment the same variety of okra was fertilized with three N levels 0, 25 and 75 kg N hasup>-1 and four compost rates: 0, 2, 3 and 4.0 Mg hasup>-1. Both pot and field experiments were factorial fitted into a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on growth parameters, dry matter production and partitioning as well as marketable fresh fruit yield. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and significant means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test (p<0.05). All data collected were reported as averages of the 2004 and 2006 trails. Dry matter partitioning was highest at 10 week after planting with application of 50 and 75 kg N /ha being similar. Application of 75 kg N hasup>-1 gave the highest fresh fruit yield value of 11.46 Mg hasup>-1 although, not significantly different from 11.41 and 11.44 Mg ha,sup>-1 fruit yields obtained when the crop was fertilized with either 50kg N/ha or 4.0 Mg hasup>-1 compost.

Key words: Compost, N fertilizer, okra, fruit yield and dry matter