Chigbundu I.N., Dialoke S.A., Ajaero J.O., Nwosu F.O., Ibeawuchi I.I.
Department of Agricultural Technology, College of Agriculture, Zuru, P.M.B. 1018, Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria; Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria; Department of Agricultural Economics and Extention,
Chigbundu, I.N., Department of Agricultural Technology, College of Agriculture, Zuru, P.M.B. 1018, Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria; Dialoke, S.A., Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria; Ajaero, J.O., Department of Agricultural Economics and Extention, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria; Nwosu, F.O., Department of Agricultural Technology, College of Agriculture, Zuru, P.M.B. 1018, Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria; Ibeawuchi, I.I., Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Field experiments were conducted during 2002 and 2003 rainy seasons to study the growth dry yield of some selected local and an improved varieties of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). The experiments were laid out in a Randomized Completed Block Design (RCBD), replicated four times. The results show that there were significant differences in growth characteristics and yield of the varieties. There were significant yield depression tons ha-1 by 21.8, 21.9. 49.8 and 63.4%, when Kwanab Bokodo was compared with Kwanab Magwandara, Kwanab lende, Kwanab Kwete and lady finger (control), on fresh weight basis. However on dry weight basis, reverse was the case with lady's finger significantly out-weighing (Kwanab Magwandara by 14.50%, Kwanab lende, 25.4%. Kwanab Bokodo, 34.7% and Kwaanab Kwete, 56.9%). There were also significant variations in the length of pods/plant (cm), leave area per plant (cm 2), number of leaves per plant and number of branches per plant. This implies that lady's finger with higher pod dry matter yield therefore has higher productivity and contains more nutritional components than others. © 2007 Academic Journals Inc.