Effect Of Organic And Inorganic Fertilizers On Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Production And Incidence Of Insect Pests In The Humid Tropics

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching and Research Farm, Choba, Nigeria to compare the effects of NPK 15: 15: 15 and poultry manure on the yield of okra and incidence of insect pests on the crop. Performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) was assessed using inorganic and organic fertilizer. The treatments were fitted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Application of poultry manure (PM) at the rate of 10tha-1 had the highest yield and reduced number of insect pests, although mean plant height and mean leaf number were highest with 500kgha-1 NPK treatment at 10 WAP, mean leaf number followed a similar pattern. Stem girth was highest in 10tha-1 poultry manure and was not significantly different from 500kgha-1 NPK treatment. Complementary application of 10tha-1 poultry manure and 300kgha-1 NPK favoured okra growth and yield most in terms of quantity and quality (market value) and decreased insect pest infestations. Poultry manure at 10tha-1 turned out to be the most beneficial application compared with the other treatments.