Comparison of two okra, Abelmoschus esculentus L. Noench, cultivars in terms of growth and green pod production under different nitrogen levels

The present study was carried to see the comparative influence of various nitrogen levels (50, 75 and 1.00 kg per hectare) on the economic traits of two okra cultivars (Perkinþs Memmoth and Pusa sawani) at Horticulture Orchard of Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam during summer, 1999. The trial was laid out in randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements. The seed was used at the rate of kg per hectare. The net plot size kept was 2 m x 3m, keeping 60 cm distance between rows and 30 cm within rows. The plant population maintained was 45,000 plants per hectare, keeping 300 plants in each of 150 rows. The nitrogen was applied in the form of urea along with a basal dose of 80 kg phosphorus in the form of single superphosphate. Nitrogen at the rate of 100 kg per hectare recorded significantly maximum plant height of 126 cm followed by plant height of 120 cm noticed in case of 75 kg nitrogen per hectare. Memmoth produced significantly greater plant height (123.33 cm) as compared to pusa Sawani (117.67 cm). The highest nitrogen level 100/hectare produced pods with maximum length (8.77 cm) followed by 75 kg N per hectare were 8.40 cm mean pod length was recorded. Number of Branches per plant 100 kg N per Hectare produced comparatively greater number of branches per plant (5.98) on average, followed by 75 kg N (5.55) and 50 kg N per hectare (4.71. Among varieties Pusa Sawani produced significantly greater branches (5.94) as compared to Perin's Memmoth (4.88) The differences, were statistically non significantly for treatment interaction between nitrogen leaves and varieties. Number of Pod. The highest nitrogen level of 100 per hectare produced pods with maximum length (8.73 cm), followed by 75 kg N per hectare where 8.40 cm mean pod length was length of pods (7. 88 cm) was recorded from the plots received lowest level of 50 kg per hectare nitrogen. Among varieties Perkin' s Memmoth produced significantly greater pod length (8.85 cm) as compared to 82 cm). The differences were statistically non- significant for treatment: interaction between nitrogen levels and varieties. The maximum number of pods (15.50) per plant was obtained from the plots fertilized with highest nitrogen level of 100 per hectare, followed by 75 kg N per hectare where 1.3.50 pods per plant were recorded, while minimum number of pods (10.47) was recorded from the plots received lowest level of 50 kg per hectare nitrogen Among varieties Pusa Sawani produced significantly greater number as compared to Perkinþs Memmoth (10.64). The differences were statistically non- significant for their interaction. Weight of Single Pod The highest single pod weight (13.90 g) was recorded in the plots supplied with 100 it per hectare followed by 75 kg N per hectare Where 13.39 y single pod weight was obtained. However, the minimum single pod weight (11.79 g) was recorded from the plots received lowest level of 50 kg IS per hectare. In case of varieties Perkin's Memmoth produced significantly greater single pod weight (13.98 g) as compared to Pusa Sawani (12.07 g). The differences were statistically non- significant for treatment interaction between nitrogen levels and varieties. Weight of pods per plant N. The maximum pods weight (195 g) was recorded in the supplied with 100 kg N per hectare, followed by 75 kg N per hectare with 173 g pod weight and the minimum pod weight (123.50 g) per plant was recorded from the plots received lowest level of 50 kg N per hectare. In case of varieties Pusa Sawani produced significantly greater pod weight (184 g) as compared to Perkin's Memmoth (143.67 g). The differences were statistically non-significant for their interaction. The maximum pooh yield (3-90 hg) per plot was recorded in the plots supplied with 100 kg N per hectare, followed by 75 kg N per hectare with 3 .40 kg pod yield and the minimum pod yield (2.41 kg) per plot was recorded from the plots received lowest level of 50 kg N per hectare in case of varieties Pusa Swani produced significant greater pod yield (3.68 kg) per plot as compared to Perkin,s Memmoth (2.87 kg). The differences were statistically non significant for treatments interaction between nitrogen levels and varieties. The maximum pods yield (6.50 m.t.) per hectare was recorded in the plots supplied with 100 kg N per hectare, while 75 kg N treated plots had 5.770 m.t. pod yield per hectare, and the minimum pod yield (4.12 m.t.) per hectare was recorded under 50 kg N per hectare. In case of varieties Pusa Sawani produced significantly greater pod yield (6.13 m.t.) per hectare as compared to Perkin,s Memmoth (4.79 m.t.). The differences were statistically non-significant for treatment interaction between nitrogen levels and varieties. From the results of the present study, it was concluded that 100 kg N per hectare was actually needed to produce higher okra yields with Pusa Sawani as the most suitable variety under Hyderabad conditions.