Growth and Yield Response of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) Varieties to the Time of Poultry Manure Application in Minna, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted in June, 2016 rainy season at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology Minna, to determine the growth and yield response of okra varieties to time of poultry manure application. The experiments were laid out in a 3 x 4 factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The plot size was 3 m x 3 m (9 m2) and contained four ridges. The total land area used was 53 m x 13 m (689 m2). Inter-row spacing was 70 cm while intra-row spacing was 50 cm. Three varieties of okra used were NHAE 47-4, EX-BASAWA 2, and 5EX-SAMARUand the treatments include four application times of poultry manure namely; control (no application), 4 weeks before sowing (WBS), 2 WBS and at sowing (AS). The cured poultry manure of 5t/ha was applied by band method at the rate of 2.5 kg per ridge. Five stands of okra were randomly selected and tagged from each plot for data collection. Data collected included plant height, number of fruits, fruit length and fruit weight. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. Results showed that NHAe47-4 and application of poultry manure at 2 WBS produced highest plant height, number of okra fruit, heavier okra fruit weight and total yield. The application of poultry manure at 2 WBS and cultivation of NHAe47-4 okra variety could be recommended for farmers in the study area.