Authors : S.O. Afolayan , O.A. Oladapo , O.A. Akintola and E.F. Muibi
Abstract: The interactions between tillage techniques and fertilization play a major role in determining the sustainability of production of okra. Fields experimental were studied in 2004 and 2005 respectively to determine the effect of tillage methods and fertilizer application on crop growth and fruit yield of okra. Three different tillage methods: Ridging (R) Harrowing (H) and Bedding (B) in combination with three fertilizer sources: Control- no fertilizer-S1, NPK (20-10-10) -S2 , Urea (45,0,0)-S3 and 0rgano-mineral (2.25, 0.89, 2.01)-S4 were considered for the first year. The second year experiment retained the tillage systems but adopted the best fertilizer source of the first year at four different rates 0 kg ha 1 (F1), 200 kg ha 1 (F2), 300 kg ha 1 (F3) and 400 kg ha 1 (F4). Soil properties were conducted before and after the experiments. Growth indices such as Number of Leaves (NL), Plant Height (PHT), Stem Diameter (SD) and Leaf Area (LA) were measured. Results obtained revealed that there were no significant differences (p< 0.05) in bulk density (R = 1.29 gm cm 3, p = 1.40 gmkm3, H = 1.44 g km3, B = 1.45 gm cm 3) conducted after the first season. However, cone penetration resistances were greatly influenced by tillage methods (p = 0.065 kg s 1, R = 0.93 kg s 1, H = 0.93 kg s 1, B = 0.95 kg s 1). There were significant differences in all the crop growth and fruit yields of the two seasons. In the first year, S4 fertilizer source in combination with R had the best mean leaf area followed by S2 fertilizer source in combination with H. S1R, S2R and S4R appeared most stunted in growth at p< 0.05. Generally, S3 fertilizer source combined with H tillage method (S3H) recorded the highest mean yield at 2.4/ha followed by S2H at 2.3t ha 1. The second year experiment recorded significant differences (p< 0.05) among the treatments in growth and fruit yield. F3P produced the highest mean PHT (744.33 mm), F2B had the best NL and F3B producing best robust plants in terms of SD, F1B appeared to be the treatment with the most luxuriant canopies respect to LA and F2P having the highest mean yield at 5.53t ha 1. Overall result showed that 200kg ha 1 of NPK fertilizer in combination with ploughing (F2Pi) was suggested as the best treatment option for the sustainable cultivation of okra.
S.O. Afolayan , O.A. Oladapo , O.A. Akintola and E.F. Muibi , 2007. Effect of Tillage Systems and Different Fertilizer Rates on Growth Parameters and Fruit Yield of Okra (Abelimoscus Esculentus) . Agricultural Journal, 2: 596-601.