Enhancing Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) yield through optimized sowing techniques: A comparative study of tillage and seeding strategies
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Abstract
Around the world, Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a popular vegetable crop. This study conducted a field experiment with different tillage practices and sowing techniques on okra production in the spring of 2021 at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar's Research Farm. The experiment was replicated three times using RCBD design with different Sowing methods (flat seed bed "S1" and ridge S2") and tillage practices (Cultivator T1" + Rotavator T2"). The statistical analysis results concluded that the sowing techniques significantly affected all the parameters except the Length of Okra fruits (cm). Similarly, Tillage treatment had a non-significant effect on all the parameters except the weight of okra fruit per plant. The interaction effect showed that the highest value of days to emergence was found in S1T2 (8.67) while the lowest was found in S2T2 (6.33), followed by the highest days to 1st Okra flowing was found in S1T2 (47.7) while the lowest was found in S2T2 (44.3). Therefore, the maximum number of okra plants in plot-1 was recorded in S2T2 (30.0) concerning S1T1, which was noted up to (26.7). Furthermore, from the results, the utmost weight of okra fruit per plant, plant height, and Okra yield was found in S2T2, S2T2, and S2T2 with 29.42g, 118.5cm and 731.53Kg.ha-1, while the 24.38g, 116.51cm and 669.70Kg.ha-1 nethermost value were as noted in S1T1, S2T1 and S1T1 methods respectively. At last, from the experimental results, it was concluded and recommended that the Ridge (S2) sowing method increased the Okra growth yields.
Keywords: Crop production; Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L); Sowing method (flat seed bed and ridge) and Tillage practices (Cultivator + Rotavator)