Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

Potential of Palm Bunch Ash Application on the Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)

Ogbuehi HC

An experiment to investigate the effect of Palm Bunch (PBA) Ash on the growth of okra was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, during the cropping season of 2014. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications 100g, 200g and 300g of PBA concentrations were used for the experiment while the no PBA (0g) represented the control. The various rates of PBA were incorporated into the soil two weeks prior to sowing, as one dose application. Data were collected on various parameters and recorded for analysis. Results showed that PBA application improved soil status and increased pH. In terms of germination, the PBA treated plots (100g PBA) gave the highest (74.79%) emergence compared to the control. In terms of plant growth and development, PBA treated plots showed great potentials with the highest plant height (33.250) stem girth (4.85cm), number of leaves (21.25), leaf area (229.89cm2 ) and also in terms of plant aspects PBA plots recorded significantly different (P<0.05) values with the highest (0.579) relative growth rate. The highest dry weight of root and shoots (11.97g and 31.73g respectively were obtained from PBA plots, which was significant. It was concluded that PBA application at 100g rate was optimal for improving vegetative growth of okra and soil nutrient status, and that 300g rate was optimal for improving fruit yield of okra. It was recommended that small holder farmers should adopt PBA application as a soil amendment tool for increased productivity.

Published Date: 2015-10-11;