Effects of Bio-fertilizers, Chemical Fertilizers, and Farmyard Manure on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to compare the effects of different fertilizers on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). The randomized complete block design experiment had five treatments with four replications. Besides a control, the experiment included bio-fertilizer Multiplex Annapurna, bio-fertilizer Spic Surabi, FYM, and chemical fertilizer treatments. Bio-fertilizers were applied at the rate of 297 kg ha-1 while FYM and NPK chemical fertilizers were applied at the rate of 4,000 kg ha-1 and 100:150:50 kg ha-1 respectively. Plant height, stem diameter, plant canopy, and number of leaves were measured at 42, 54, 66, and 78 days after sowing (DAS). Yield and yield components (yield, no of fruits per plants, fruit length, and fruit weights) were assessed at the time of harvest. Fertilizer treatment had a significant effect on growth and yield of okra (p <.05). Spic Surabi gave the highest yield (11.77 t ha-1) and the lowest (9.63 t ha-1) was from control treatment. The experiment indicated that the application of bio-fertilizer, mainly Spic Surabi, increases growth and yield of okra.