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Effects of Tillage and Nutrient Management on Yield of Okra (abelmoschus Esculentus (l.) Moench)

M. Akter
Department of Botany, Jagannath University, Dhaka–1100, Bangladesh

N.C. Shil
Division of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur–1701, Bangladesh

S. Ahmad
Department of Botany, Jagannath University, Dhaka–1100, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) was conducted in Gazipur under Agro-ecological Zone 28 during Kharif 2015. The objectives of the study were to observe the effects of tillage depth and nutrient management on the growth and yield of okra and to find out the suitable fertilizer dose for maximizing the yield of okra. The treatments comprised of three different tillage options viz., minimum tillage (0–4 cm; T₁), conventional tillage (10–12 cm; T₂) and deep tillage (20–22 cm; T₃) in combination with four nutrient management packages viz., 100% STB (N₁₀₀P₁₈K₄₉S₁₂Zn_1.75B_0.60 kg ha^–1) all from chemical fertilizer (M₁), 125% STB (N₁₂₅P_22.5K₆₁S₁₅Zn_2.19B_0.75 kg ha^–1) all from chemical fertilizer (M₂), 100% STB by using chemical fertilizer 75% (N₇₅P_13.5K₃₇S₉Zn_1.31B_0.45 kg ha^–1) and rest 25% from compost (4.3 t ha^–1) as integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS; M₃) and native fertility (M₄). The experiment was set up in 2 factors Randomized Completely Block Design having 12 treatment combinations with 3 replications. There were no significant effects of tillage on the yield and yield components of okra although deep tillage produced the highest yield (12.69 t ha^–1) followed by conventional tillage. Irrespective of tillage, a highly significant variation was observed for fruit yield due to different fertilizer management packages. The highest green edible fruit yield (14.96 t ha^–1) was recorded from M₂ where 125% STB fertilizer dose was applied, which was statistically identical to M₃ (IPNS based dose) but significantly higher over the rest of the treatments. The lowest fruit yield (7.83 t ha^–1) was obtained from M₄, which was significantly lower than all other treatments. The yield benefit over M₄ was 51.7, 91.1, and 87.6% for M₁, M_2, and M₃, respectively. An almost similar trend of results was observed for yield parameters as growth factors. The interaction effect between tillage depth and nutrient management on the fruit yield of okra appeared to be statistically non–significant, but T₃ × M₃ package gave the highest yield (15.21 t ha^–1), which was 30.56% higher than conventional practice (T₂ × M₁). Highly significant positive linear relationships (R² > 0.87; P < 0.01) were observed between fruit yield with plant height, fruits plant^–1, fruit length and branch plant^–1. Present fertilizer recommendations for okra should be updated by increasing 25% more nutrients. Organic manure as compost at 4.3 t ha^–1 in combination with 75% STB chemical fertilizer dose employing medium depth tillage appeared to be remunerative in augmenting the yield and economic return. For eco–friendly agriculture, IPNS package (M₃) with medium depth tillage may be the best option. Thus, the said package may be recommended for maximizing the yield of okra and sustaining soil health.

Keywords: Okra, Tillage depth, Nutrient management, Yield

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur

Start Date: 00-03-2015

End Date: 00-07-2015

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Okra, Fertilizer and manures

Objectives:

The objectives of the present study were (i) to observe the effects of different tillage depth and nutrient management on the growth and yield of okra and (ii) to find out the suitable fertilizer dose for maximizing the yield of okra

Methodology:

The field trial was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during Kharif 2015 (March-July). The research site was at Gazipur, which is about 35 kilometers north of Dhaka. It is located at 23° 59’ N latitudes and 90° 24’ E longitudes. The study area represents Modhupur Tract (Agro-ecological zone; AEZ–28), which belongs to the Chhiata series of the Grey Terrace Soils (Aeric Albaquept) under the order Inceptisol. The climate of the experimental area is sub-tropical, wet and humid. Heavy rainfall occurs in the monsoon and scanty in the other times. The experiment was conducted in Kharif 1 (summer) season, which starts in March and ends in May, followed by a monsoon (Kharif 2) season from June to August. Rainfall of crop growing period ranged between 55 and 389 mm where variation in relative humidity was 65–79%. The average temperature varied from 32°C in March to 34°C in May. Initial soil samples of the experimental plot were collected maintaining a depth of 0–20 cm. Samples were then processed and analyzed in Soil Science Laboratory, BARI, Gazipur following standard methods as below. Mechanical analysis of initial soil was done by the hydrometer method (Bouyoucos, 1962). Bulk density was measured by the core sampler method while particle density was determined by Pycnometer method (Tan, 1996). For the determination of field capacity pressure plate apparatus was used. A glass electrode pH meter was used for measuring soil pH (Mc Lean, 1982) maintaining 1:1 for soil: water ratio. Organic carbon was determined by the wet oxidation method (Nelson and Sommers, 1996). The total N content of the soil was determined following the micro Kjeldahl method (Bremner and Mulvaney, 1982). Bray 1 method was used for the measurement of available P (Bray and Kurtz, 1945). Exchangeable bases (K, Ca and Mg) were extracted with 1M NH₄OAc (Thomas, 1982 as described by Tan, 1996). Available S was determined by the turbidimetric method (Tabatabai, 1982). Available Zn was determined by DTPA extraction method while available B was measured by the hot water extraction method as described by Tan (1996). The treatments comprised of three tillage options viz., minimum tillage (4–6 cm; T₁), conventional tillage (10–12 cm; T₂) and deep tillage (20–22 cm; T₃) in combination with four types of nutrient management package viz., 100% STB (N₁₀₀P₁₈K₄₉S₁₂Zn_1.75B_0.60 kg ha^–1) based on (FRG, 2012) all from chemical fertilizer (M₁), 125% STB (N₁₂₅P_22.5K₆₁S₁₅Zn_2.19B_0.75 kg ha^–1) all from chemical fertilizer (M₂), 100% STB (75% from chemical fertilizer N₇₅P_13.5K₃₇S₉Zn_1.31B_0.45kg ha^–1 + 25% from compost (4.3 t ha^–1) as integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS; M₃) and native fertility (without fertilizer and manure; M₄). Thus there were 12 treatment combinations. The plot size was 4m × 3m. The experiment was set up in a 2 factor Randomized Completely Block Design with 3 replications. As per treatment, the entire amount of compost, TSP, muriate of potash, gypsum, boric acid, and one-fourth of urea were applied during final land preparation. The rest urea was applied as top-dressing at 20, 40 and 60 days after sowing followed by a light irrigation. The seeds of okra (cv. Green King) were sown on 20 March 2015. The spacing was rowed to row 50 cm and plant to plant 40 cm. Two seeds were sown in each pit. After that, the seeds were covered with loose soil gently and irrigation was applied for proper germination. After seven days of germination, one healthy seedling was allowed to grow in each pit uprooting other seedlings. For controlling insect pests, Ripcord @ 2 ml L^–1 water was spread twice. Irrigation was done immediately after top dressing. Fruits were harvested on every alternate day at the edible stage. Harvesting was started on 17 May 2015 and ended on 03 July 2015. Data on yield and components like plant height, fruit length, fruit breadth, individual fruit weight and a number of fruits per plant were recorded. The mean data with replicate observations were analyzed statistically following Statistics 10 Software. The treatment means were separated by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. Regression analysis was done using Microsoft Excel Version 7.

Source of Information: Thai J. Agric. Sci. (2020) Vol. 53(2): 97108

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Achievement/Findings:

Present fertilizer recommendations for okra should be updated by increasing 25% more nutrients. Thus, a package of more (N₁₂₅P_22.5K₆₁S₁₅Zn_2.19B_0.75 kg ha^–1) may be recommended for the cultivation of okra for the Grey Terrace Soil at Gazipur (AEZ–28) or soil alike. The same treatment also produced a higher economic return. Reduced tillage appeared to be profitable for its lower cost and lesser soil intervention for better health. Therefore, for eco-friendly agriculture, IPNS package formulated with 75% nutrient needs from chemical fertilizers (N₇₅P_13.5K₃₇S₉Zn_1.31B_0.45 kg ha^–1) and rest 25% from compost (4.3 t ha^–1) in conjunction with medium depth tillage (10–12 cm) would be the best option in bringing sustainable yield and better soil health.

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