Effects of soil texture on growth and yield of six varieties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench)

Abstract

A comparative agronomical experiment was conducted at research station/ Department of Horticulture and Landscape/ College of Agriculture/ Tikrit University, to study the effect of two different soil textures (loam and silt loam) on growth and yield of six varieties of okra. The two soil textures were analyzed for pH, nitrogen, organic matter, phosphorous, Ca, K, Mg etc. at the Central Laboratory of Soil Science and Water Resource Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University. Six okra varieties of okra were used in this experiment (i. e., Clamson, Hussainawia, Sultani, Btra, Clemson and Clemson spinless). The experiment was carried out with a Randomized Complete Block Design with Split plot arrangement with four replicates. Data were recorded for plant height, stem diameter, branches number on main stem, total number of branches, pod length, pod diameter, pod weight, pods number, yield per plant and percentage of dry matter in pod. Results indicated that plant height, branches number on main stem, pod weight, pod number and yield per plant produced in Loam soil were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those produced in Silt loam soil. Irrespective of soil texture, the stem diameter, branches number on main stem and total branches produced in Btra variety, whereas, pod diameter, pod weight, pod number and pod yield per plant produced in Hussainawia variety were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those produced in other varieties. But, pod length did not differ significantly (P ≤ 0.05) between six varieties. It can be concluded from the present findings that Btra and Hussainawia cultivars may be produced in different soil..

Keywords

• Silt loam
• loam
• okra pod weight
• yield