Effects of Irrigation Frequency and Manure on Growth Parameters, Crop Coefficient and Yield of Okro (Abelmoscus Esculeutus)

Abstract

It is essential to maintain readily available water in the soil if crops are to make satisfactory growth and give optimum yield. This work studied the response of Okro to the application of different regimes of irrigation water (W1, W2 and W3) in order to determine its growth performance and yield. Twenty seven (27) bucket of the volumetric capacity of 10litres each, Okro was planted in each bucket equal treatment of animal and organic fertilizer was applied in the ratio 6:1 while response to plant height observed were 13 cm, 10.8 cm and 15 cm, also, stem diameter observed were 0.06 mm, 0.12 mm, and 0.17 mm.The effects of irrigation frequency, average plant height (cm), average number of leaves; average Stem (diameter, mm) and yield (g) were studied.  W1 gave 13, 4, 0.06, 11.4; W2:  10.8, 6, 0.12, 18.1; W3: 15, 7, 0.17, 23.3. Plants under W3 recorded the highest plant height and it also produced the highest number of leaves at 7 stem diameter (0.17mm) and consequently the highest mean yield. The study showed that with readily available nutrients present in soil, the most desirable frequency of irrigation gives an optimum crop yield as nutrients is easily taken up by plants. It is recommended that a standard model green house be constructed to study various crop coefficients and consumptive use for this zone.

Keywords: irrigation frequency, growth parameters, crop coefficient, yield, Okro