The Performance of Okra as Influenced by Location, Variety and Irrigation Water Regimes in Two Uplands Soils of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

The performances of three okra cultivars were evaluated under surface irrigation on the upland Soils of University of Agriculture Makurdi Research Farms (UAM Research Farm) and Northbank of River K/Ala, Dogo in Makurdi and Buruku LGAs of Benue State, Nigeria. A factorial experiment with treatments consisting two Locations (UAMRF and Dogo), three Varieties (MKD-V₁, NH47-4- V₂ and LOGO-V₃) and three Irrigation Frequencies (3day, 7day and 10day) was laid out in RCBD with three replications.  The land was cleared, ploughed, harrowed, leveled and 2mx2m beds manually prepared. Four (4) seeds were planted on the 8^th and 12^th February, 2011 and 2012 respectively at 45cm x 50cm spacing and thinned to two (2) plants/hole two weeks later. Crop parameters: plant height, canopy, fresh weight, dry weight, pod length and fresh fruit weight were noted. Combined data for the two years were subjected to ANOVA and means separated using LSD (0.05 level). The results showed that: UAM Research Farm was the best soil compared to Dogo soil for the cultivation of all the three varieties of okra studied. Variety V₁ was better in plant height; V₂ in plant canopy and fresh fruit yield while V₃ produced the largest biomass. Irrigation frequency at 3day resulted into larger plant canopy and higher fresh fruit yield, 7day produced longer pods while irrigation at 10day give higher fresh and dry biomass compared to other irrigation intervals. Irrigation interval at 7day however, has a comparable economic advantage over the other irrigation intervals, 3 and 10day in respect to the most vital trait, fresh fruit yield turn over in all the three okra varieties.