RESPONSE OF Abelmoschus esculentus SEED PRODUCTION TO DIFFERENT FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
SEYED AMIR MOOSAVI
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
MAJID AGHAALIKHANI *
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
BARAT GHOBADIAN
Department of Agricultural Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Seed yield and yield component of okra was studied under different fertilizer management strategies.
Methodology: Two year factorial experiment was conducted on three Iranian Okra ecotypes (Ahwaz, Isfahan, Mashhad) under F1:Chemical, F2:Vermicompost, F3:Chemical+Vermicompost; F4:Vermicompost+ Mycorrhiza, F5:(Chemical+Vermicompost+Mycorrhiza) and F6:Control.
Results: Among all Ecotypes, Isfahan produced the highest seed yield (1603.53 kg/ha) while the lowest was belongs to Ahwaz Ecotype (1509.70 kg/ha). Under F5 fertilizer, okra produced the highest amount (1835 kg/ha) of seed yield. Isfahan ecotype grown under F5 fertilizer treatment has the maximum weight of dry pod (83.36 g/plant) while the minimum pod dry weight (34.41 g/plant) was observed in Ahwaz with no added fertilizer.
Conclusion: It is suggested that in okra seed production, integrated fertilizer management including organic, chemical and microbial fertilizers would produce satisfactory results compared to other fertilizer strategies such as sole chemical or organic.
Keywords: Okra, pod, seed, vermicompost, yield