Progressive Agriculture, Vol. 30, Suppl.

1: 1-9, 2019 ISSN: 1017 - 8139

Growth and yield of okra influenced by different types of fertilizers and netting
MA Muqtadir, MA Islam*, T Haque, A Nahar
Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract
An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during
the period from March 2017 to June 2017 with a view to evaluate the effect of different types of fertilizer and
netting on the growth and yield of okra. The experiment consisted of 4 levels of fertilizer following cow dung 15
t/ha (F1), inorganic fertilizer (NPK) (F2), combined application of cow dung (2/3) + inorganic fertilizer (1/3) (F3),
control (F4) and 2 levels of mosquito netting (N0 = control with no netting, N1=blue colour Netting). The experiment
was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Overall, the growth like plant
height, leaf length, pod length, pod diameter and pods numbers of okra was found higher from the combined effect
of F3N1 which was significantly different from other treatments combination. The lowest growth and yield of okra
was found from the treatment combination of F4N0 (control). First flowering were observed in F3N1 at 39 days after
planting of okra seeds. The control treatment without net gave the lowest production of okra compared to
combination of inorganic fertilizer and cow dung with netting. In case of fertilizers effect, the highest yield (16.06
t/ha) was found from F3. Blue colour net gave the highest yield (10.99 t/ha) compared to without net (8.88 t/ha). The
highest yield of okra (17.55 t/ha) was found from the combined effect of F3N1 which was 78.52% higher compared
to control treatment combination F4N0 (3.77 t/ha).

Key words: Cow dung, inorganic fertilizers, net, okra, yield

Progressive Agriculturists. All rights reserved *Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Introduction
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under the family degradation of land and water resources, as well as
Malvaceae is also known as Lady's finger, considered declining yield due to indiscriminate use of agro-
one of the most important summer vegetables in chemicals. Use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in
Bangladesh. It is rich sources of vitamins, calcium, agricultural production increased tremendously after the
potassium, and other minerals and a mucilaginous green revolution (Goutam et al., 2011). Environmental
preparation from the pod can be used as a blood plasma impacts of excessive applications of chemical fertilizers
replacement. It is one of the most important warm season in Bangladesh have been reported (Muhibbullah et al.,
fruit vegetables grown throughout the tropics and 2005). Excessive use of chemical fertilizers causes
recognized as one of the world’s oldest cultivated crops unforeseen environmental impacts and sensitivity to pests
(Anonymous, 2007). It plays a vital role in human diet and diseases through the oversupply of nitrogen (Chen,
(Saifullah and Rabbani, 2009). 2006). Organic farming practices are the potential way to
decrease the negative environmental impact of excessive
The sustainability of conventional agriculture in
amounts of chemical fertilizers (Aksoy, 2001 and
Bangladesh is under threat from the continuous

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 Growth and yield of okra

Chowdhury, 2004). Organic fertilizers are environmental and well drained and slightly acidic with pH (6.85),
friendly and improve soil health, water-holding capacity, having low organic matter with good irrigation facilities.
high cation exchange capacity and low bulk density and One okra variety was used as the experimental material
they foster diverse population of beneficial soil for this experiment named ‘Momotaz Hybrid F1’. The
microorganisms (Bulluck et al., 2002, and Mohammad et seeds were collected from Notun Bazar in Mymensingh
al., 2013). District. The variety is developed by Partex Agro
Limited. Seeds were sown through dibbling method on
Crop production is hampered due to increase in air
09 March 2017, maintaining 45 cm plant to plant and 60
temperature and intensity of solar radiation because of
cm line to line distance.
the climate changes and urbanization. One of the ways to
cope with this trend is to protect the crops. Colour-shade The experiment was considered of two factors
net is an effective way, because it influences the experiments. Factor A (net-N), N0: Control (no net); N1:
microclimate to which the plant is exposed and offer Net (blue color) and factor B (different types of
physical protection against excessive radiation, insect fertilizers-F); F1: Cow dung (15 t/ha), F2: inorganic
pests (Shahak et al., 2004). fertilizers (Urea = 174 kg/ha, TSP = 150 kg/ha, MoP =
150 kg/ha, according to FRG, 2012), F3: Combined
Many physiological processes, from the emergence of
application of 2/3rd cow dung (F1) and 1/3rd inorganic
seedlings to fruit development and maturity depend on
(F2) and F4: control were used in this experiment. The
the quantity and quality of the light. Application of
entire quantity of cow dung (15 t/ha) was applied just
shading net is one of the important factors that greatly
after opening the land. Full dose of TSP was applied to
influences the growth and yield of okra
the soil at the final land preparation. Urea and MoP were
(Kyriakopoulou et al., 2012). Akhter et. al, (2019)
applied as side dressing in 3 equal installments. The two-
found the highest yield of okra from the combined
factor experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete
effect of vermin compost and netting which was
Block Design (RCBD) with three replications where plot
56.74% higher compared to control treatment
size was 4.32 m2 (2.4 m x 1.8 m). Intercultural operations
combination.
like weeding, gap filling etc. were done when necessary.
Soil fertility of Bangladesh is reducing day by day due To control insect-pest, bio pesticide (mixture of onion,
to applying excessive amount chemical fertilizers and garlic, neem leaves & fruits paste) @ 50 mL/L was
pesticides for insects and diseases control. sprayed at an interval of 15 days.
Combination of netting and fertilizers can help to
Five plants were selected randomly from each plot for
increase yields during hot, sunny periods. It might be
collection of data and the average value was considered
the opportunity to reduce the amount of inorganic
as one replication in case of each parameters. Plant
fertilizers and improve the soil quality. Considering
height from the ground to the tip of stem and leaf length
this, our plan was to find out the better combination of
(4th no. of leaf) were measured at 35, 50, 65, 80 days
fertilizers (cow dung and inorganic fertilizer) with net
after sowing. Number of fruits, days to first flowering,
on the growth and yield of okra.
pod length (cm) and diameter (cm) were recorded. Pods
were collected after every 2-3 days interval and total ten
Materials and Methods
harvests recorded from the end of April to June, 2017.
The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm Yield per plot was converted to ton per hectare. The
of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), collected data were analyzed with the help of a computer
Mymensingh during the period from March, 2017 to package programme MSTAT-C and means were
June, 2017. It belongs to the Old Brahmaputra Flood separated by using LSD test.
Plain under AEZ (Agro Ecological Zone) 9. It was fertile

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 Muqtadir et al. (2019), Progressive Agriculture Vol. 30, Suppl. 1: 1-9

Results and Discussion Table 1. Effect of different fertilizers on leaf length of

okra at different days after sowing (DAS).
Effect of fertilizer on growth and yield of okra: In the
present study, growth and yield of okra were significantly Fertilizer Length (cm) of leaves at different
influenced by different types of fertilizer application. Plant DAS
doses
height (83.20 cm), number of leaves per plant (28.00) 35 50 65 80
and leaf length (26.07 cm) were significantly higher at 80
days after sowing (Figure 1, 2 and Table 1) from F3 F1 10.70 14.93 18.57 20.00
fertilizer treatment (mixed of cow dung and inorganic F2 12.07 18.00 21.70 23.47
fertilizer) compared to other treatment.
F3 13.17 21.07 24.23 26.07
The application of F3 took less days for first flowering (39
F4 9.53 13.33 15.33 16.60
days) and first pod harvest (47.67 days) after sowing, and it
was also accounted for enhancing yield parameters like LSD0.05 0.29 0.16 0.32 0.56
number of pods per plant (17.08), pod length (17.67 cm),
Level of ** ** ** **
pod diameter (1.83 cm), individual wt. of pod (25.34 g) significance
pod yield (16.06 t/ha) (Table 2 and Figure 3). On the other
hand, control plot gave the lowest performance **=Significant at 5 % level of probability, F1= Cow
considering the growth and yield of okra. Prabu et al., dung (15 t/ha); F2=Inorganic (NPK); F3=Mixed (1/3
(2002) observed that the yield (14.17 t/ha) increased by inorganic+2/3 cow dung); F4= Control.
22.48% with the application of cow dung and inorganic
fertilizers together.
45
F1 F2 F3 F4
120 F1 F2 F3 F4
40

100 35

30
No. of leaves/plant

80
Plant height (cm)

25

60 20

15
40

10

20
5

0 0
35 50 65 80 35 50 65 80

Days after sowing Days after sowing

Figure 1. Effect of different fertilizers on plant height Figure 2. Effect of different fertilizers on number of
of okra at different days after sowing. leaves per plant of okra at different days
Vertical bars represent LSD at 5% level of after sowing. Vertical bars represent LSD at
significance. F1=Cow dung (15 t/ha); 5% level of significance. F1=Cow dung (15
F2=Inorganic (NPK); F3=Mixed (1/3 t/ha); F2=Inorganic (NPK); F3=Mixed (1/3
inorganic+2/3 cow dung); F4=Control. inorganic + 2/3 cow dung); F4=Control.

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 Growth and yield of okra

Table 2. Effect of different fertilizers on yield and yield contributing characters of okra

Fertilizers Days Days No. of Individual Pod Pod Pod

required for required pods/plant weight of length diameter yield/plot
1st flowering for 1st pod pod (g) (cm) (cm) (kg)
harvest
F1 41.00 48.67 11.84 16.26 13.35 1.46 3.09
F2 39.83 48.33 14.70 22.02 15.90 1.74 5.19
F3 39.00 47.67 17.08 25.34 17.67 1.83 6.94
F4 42.67 50.33 10.30 11.80 12.95 1.44 1.96
LSD0.05 0.92 0.70 0.10 0.13 0.19 0.04 0.10
Level of ** ** ** ** ** ** **
significance

18 cm), individual wt. of pod (19.89 g), pod diameter

16 (1.65 cm) and pod yield (10.99 t/ha) (Table 4 and
14 Figure 6). On the other hand, control (without netting =
12
N0) plot gave the lowest performance considering the
Pod yield (t/ha)

10
growth and yield of okra. Plant height increment at the
8
early stage of growth in maize by shade nets was also
reported by Duhr and Dubas (1990). Aldazabal and
6
Zamora (2000) also reported higher numbers of tomato
4
fruits under shade net.
2

0
F1 F2 F3 F4 100
N0 N1
Fertilizer doses

80

Figure 3. Effect of different fertilizers on yield of okra.

Plant height (cm)

Vertical bar represents LSD at 5% level of 60

significance. F1=Cow dung (15 t/ha);

F2=Inorganic (NPK); F3=Mixed (1/3 40

inorganic+2/3 cow dung); F4=Control.

20

Effect of netting on the growth and yield of okra: The

effect of netting on growth and yield of okra is highly 0
35 50 65 80
significant. Plant height (70.89 cm), number of leaves
per plant (25.38) and leaf length (21.87 cm) were Days after sowing

significantly higher at 80 days after sowing in case of

Figure 4. Effect of netting on plant height of okra at
netting (Figure 4, 5 and Table 3). The application of
different days after sowing. Vertical bars
netting (N1) took less days for first flowering (40.25
represent LSD at 1% level of significance.
days) and first pod harvest (48.42 days) after sowing
N0= control, N1= netting.
and it significantly augmented yield parameters like
number of pods per plant (14.23), pod length (15.31

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 Muqtadir et al. (2019), Progressive Agriculture Vol. 30, Suppl. 1: 1-9

35 N0 N1 12

30
10

25
8
No. of leaves/plant

Pod yield (t/ha)

20
6

15

4
10

2
5

0 0
35 50 65 80 N0 N1

Netting
Days after sowing

Figure 6. Effect of netting on yield of okra. Vertical bar

Figure 5. Effect of netting on number of leaves per represents LSD at 1% level of significance;
plant of okra at different days after sowing. N0= control, N1= netting.
Vertical bars represent LSD at 5% level of
significance. N0= control; N1= netting.

Table 3. Effect of netting on leaf length okra at

different days after sowing (DAS).

Netting Length (cm) of leaves at different

DAS
35 50 65 80
N0 10.37 16.70 19.72 21.20

N1 12.37 16.97 20.20 21.87

LSD0.05 0.20 0.10 0.17 0.16

Level of
** ** ** **
significance

**=Significant at 5 % level of probability, N0=

Control, N1=Netting.

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 Growth and yield of okra

Table 4. Effect of netting on yield of okra

Days Days required No. of Average Pod Pod Pod

Netting required for for 1st pod pods/plant weight of length diameter yield/plot
1st flowering harvest pod (g) (cm) (cm) (kg)
N0 41.00 49.08 12.73 17.82 14.63 1.58 3.84
N1 40.25 48.42 14.23 19.89 15.31 1.65 4.75
LSD0.05 0.65 0.49 0.07 0.09 0.13 0.03 0.07
Level of
** ** ** ** ** ** **
significance

**=Significant at 5% level of probability, N0=Control, N1=Netting.

Combined effect of fertilizer and netting on the of F3N1 took less days for first flowering (38.67 days) and
growth and yield of okra: In case of combined effect of first pod harvest (47.33 days) after sowing, and also other
plant height, numbers of leaves per plant and leaf length parameters like pods per plant (17.67), pod length (18.08
were significantly influenced by different types of fertilizer cm), pod diameter (1.90 cm), individual wt. of pod (26.82
application and netting (Table 5). The effect of combined g) and pod yield (17.55 t/ha) were higher in the F3N1
application of fertilizers and netting on growth and yield of treatment (Table 6 and Figure 7). From this combination,
okra was highly significant (Table 5 and 6). Better growth the highest plant height reached to 84.63 cm at 80 days
and yield were obtained from combined fertilizer after planting. On the other hand, control plot gave the
treatments F3 (mixed of cow dung and inorganic fertilizer) lowest performance considering the growth and yield of
compared to other treatment combinations. The application okra.

Table 5. Combined effect of different fertilizers and netting on plant height, no. leaves per plant and length of leaves
of okra at different days after sowing.

Treatment Plant height (cm) at No. of leaves/plant at Length (cm) of leaves at

combination different days after sowing different days after sowing different days after sowing
35 50 65 80 35 50 65 80 35 50 65 80
N0 F1 21.67 29.80 46.13 60.80 8.20 14.07 18.87 21.07 9.53 14.80 18.47 19.80
N0 F2 23.67 34.73 53.74 75.33 8.87 16.93 21.93 24.47 11.00 17.93 21.33 22.87
N0 F3 24.80 38.27 58.73 81.77 8.87 17.67 24.60 25.87 12.93 21.00 23.87 25.60
N0 F4 17.93 25.67 37.00 53.60 7.13 10.40 14.80 16.93 8.00 13.07 15.20 16.53
N1 F1 23.53 31.87 47.47 62.60 8.53 15.07 19.20 22.20 11.87 15.07 18.67 20.20
N1 F2 24.07 38.20 56.32 78.67 9.67 16.93 24.67 29.00 13.13 18.07 22.07 24.07
N1 F3 27.20 43.20 62.40 84.63 9.73 18.47 26.67 30.13 13.40 21.13 24.60 26.53
N1 F4 20.20 28.13 44.93 57.67 7.73 13.53 18.13 20.20 11.07 13.60 15.47 16.67
LSD0.05 2.38 0.90 0.87 0.75 0.37 0.71 0.25 0.18 0.40 0.19 0.34 0.31
Level of
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
significance

**=Significant at 5% level of probability, F1=cow dung (15 t/ha); F2=inorganic (NPK); F3=mixed (1/3
inorganic+2/3 cow dung); F4=control, N0=control; N1=netting.

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 Muqtadir et al. (2019), Progressive Agriculture Vol. 30, Suppl. 1: 1-9

Table 6. Combined effect of different fertilizers and netting on yield and yield contributing characters of okra.

Treatment Days required Days required No. of Average Pod Pod Pod
combination for 1st for 1st pod pods/plant weight of length diameter yield/pl
flowering harvest a pod (g) (cm) (cm) ot (kg)
N0 F1 41.67 49.00 10.93 15.81 12.95 1.44 2.76
N0 F2 40.00 48.67 13.80 21.10 15.75 1.72 4.66
N0 F3 39.33 48.00 16.49 23.87 17.25 1.75 6.30
N0 F4 43.00 50.67 9.71 10.50 12.55 1.42 1.63
N1 F1 40.33 48.33 12.75 16.70 13.75 1.47 3.41
N1 F2 39.67 48.00 15.60 22.93 16.05 1.75 5.72
N1 F3 38.67 47.33 17.67 26.82 18.08 1.90 7.58
N1 F4 42.33 50.00 10.90 13.10 13.35 1.46 2.28
LSD0.05 1.30 0.98 0.14 0.18 0.27 0.06 0.15
Level of
** ** ** ** * * **
significance

**=Significant at 5% level of probability, F1=Cow dung (15 t/ha); F2=Inorganic (NPK); F3=Mixed (1/3 inorganic+2/3
cow dung); F4=Control, N0=Control; N1=Netting.
Only the control condition and cow dung (15 t/ha) with
or without net did not gave the highest production of
F1 F2 F3 F4
20 okra. On the other hand, inorganic fertilizer (F2) gave
18 the better yield compared to the only application of
16 cowdung and control (F1 and F4) with or without net.
14 Pod yield was found higher from the netting with the
Yield (t/ha)

12 treatment of mixed application of cow dung and

10 inorganic fertilizers (F3N1) compared to other treatment
8 combinations. In this combination, number of pods per
6 plant, individual weight of pod and pod length and
4 diameter are found significantly higher compared to
2 other treatments combination (Table 6 and Figure 7).
These results clearly show the reasons of higher yield
0
N0 N1 from the combination of F3N1. Islam et. al., (2017a,b)
Netting also support the result, where the highest yields of
cabbage and tomato were found from the mixed
Figure 7. Combined effect of fertilizer doses and application of organic and inorganic fertizer. Similar
netting on yield of okra. Vertical bars results were found in brinjal (Ullah et. al., 2008). It
represent the mean value ± SE (standard might be the reason of the nutrient supply to plant from
error). F1=Cow dung (15 t/ha); both organic and inorganic fertilizers. Inorganic
F2=Inorganic (NPK); F3=Mixed (1/3 fertilizers help quickly release the nutrient for plant and
inorganic + 2/3 cow dung); F4=Control; organic fertilizer (cow dung) release the macro and
N0=Control; N1=netting. micronutrient slowly for the plant. On the other hand,

7
 Growth and yield of okra

this result is motivating to reduce the application of Anonymous (2007). AgStat, Socio Economic and
inorganic fertilizer which can help to improve the soil Planning Centre, Dept. of Agriculture, SriLanka.
quality for the sustainable production of crops. In case Bulluck LR, Brosius M, Evanylo GK (2002). Organic
of netting, spinach production was found higher under and synthetic fertility amendments influence soil
different colored shade nets such as red, green, black, microbial, physical and chemical properties on
white along with control (Meena and Vashisth, 2014), organic and conventional farms. Application on
which support the result of the present study. In the Soil Ecology, 19: 147-160.
present experiment, relative humidity (RH) and Chowdhury R (2004). Effects of chemical fertilizers on
temperature were found not influenced significantly the surrounding environment and the alternative to
inside and outside of net. the chemical fertilizers. Indian Environmental
For getting better production of okra, judicial Society (IES) - Environmental Information System,
application of fertilizers is one of the important factor. Newsletter, (3): 4-5.
Netting is an important aspect of crop production to Chen JH (2006). The combined use of chemical and
maximize the yield. From this experiment it is clear organic fertilizers and/or biofertilizer for crop
that the growth and yield of okra were highly growth and soil fertility. In Proceedings of the
influenced upon the application of different fertilizers International Workshop on Sustained
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