Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) yield influenced by Albizia leaf mould and banana peel with half dosage of NP chemical fertilizers

Abstract

Dried Albizia leaf mould (10 mt/ha) and banana peel (0.1-0.5 mt/ha) with reduced level of NP chemical fertilizers were applied on the production of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with seven treatments. The result revealed that the combined application of 10 mt/ha leaf mould and 0.1 mt/ha banana peel with 50% NP chemical fertilizer as basal and 50% N as top dressing (T6) exhibited higher yield than recommended 100% NPK chemical fertilizer alone (T2). Plants treated with fertilizers showed significant influences (P<0.05) in the growth parameters such as leaf area, length, fresh and dry weight among treatments. Remarkable differences (P>0.05) in number of fruits per plant were obtained. Among the treatments, considerable variations in fruit diameter, fresh and dry weight of fruit (P<0.05) were observed. An increase in the fresh weight of fruit per plant by approximately 8.5% was obtained in T6 when compared with the control (T2). The marketable fruit yield per m2 was 654.71 g in T6 and 603.61 g in the control. It was also noted that combined use of organic (leaf mould with banana peel) and chemical fertilizers increased fruit yield when compared to the application of organic fertilizer (leaf mould with banana peel) alone as basal application. From this study, it could be concluded that Albizialeaf mould (10 mt/ha) and banana peel (0.1 mt/ha) with 50% NP chemical fertilizers as basal and also 50% N chemical fertilizer as top dressing could be used for obtaining high fruit yield in okra cultivation. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.55(4), 273-282, 2020