Influence of time of decomposition of plants materials on okra performance in ogbomoso, guinea savanna zone of South-West, Nigeria
Department of Agronomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB, Ogbomoso, 4000, Oyo State, Nigeria; National Horticulture Research Institute, Idisin Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Ajibola, A.T., Department of Agronomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB, Ogbomoso, 4000, Oyo State, Nigeria; Fasola, I.A., Department of Agronomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB, Ogbomoso, 4000, Oyo State, Nigeria; Modupeola, T.O., National Horticulture Research Institute, Idisin Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Field trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in 2012 to determine the effect of plant biomass types and time of decomposition on the growth and yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench). The treatment was a split plot laid out in randomized complete block design. The treatments involved two organic fertilizer types (Neem and Tithonia plant biomass), no fertilizer application (control) and five periods of incorporation (0, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks before planting) making a total of ten treatment combinations replicated three times with Okra as the test crop. Data were collected on growth parameters and yield attributes of Okra. The parameters assessed were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by the applied plant biomass types. The highest plant height, number of leaves stem circumference and Suits plant-1 were recorded at 6 weeks before planting irrespective of the plant biomass types. The significantly higher fruit weight were recorded at 4, 5 and 6 weeks before planting irrespective of the plant biomass types. The best performance of Okra in terms of growth were obtained from neem plant biomass type and the best yield was obtained from tithonia plant biomass type while those with no fertilizer recorded the least values. In conclusion, the growth and yield of Okra were improved by plant biomass types and best performance of Okra in terms of growth were obtained from neem plant biomass type while the best yield was obtained from tithonia plant biomass type and 4, 5 or 6 weeks before planting is adjudged as the best period for incorporation of plant biomass in Ogbomoso, Guinea Savanna zone of south west, Nigeria. © 2014 Asian Network for Scientific Information.