Growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) as affected by organic and inorganic fertilizers

Abstract

A study on the effect of poultry and cattle manures on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) was carried out in the transitional zone of Ghana in 2008 and 2009 in a randomized complete block design experiment with three replicates. The treatments were; 350 kg NPK ha-1, 8t Poultry Manure ha-1, 12t Cow dung Manure ha-1, 175 kg NPK + 4t Poultry Manure ha-1, 175 kg NPK + 6t Cow dung Manure ha-1 and No treatment of manure (control). The combined treatments of 175 kg NPK + 4t Poultry Manure ha-1 and 175 kg NPK + 6t Cow dung Manure ha-1 produced higher levels of the growth and yield parameters than the rest of the treatments in both seasons. The 175 kg NPK + 4t Poultry Manure ha-1 recorded the highest figures of the parameters which were not significantly (P=0.05) different from the figures of the 175 kg NPK + 6t Cow dung Manure ha-1 treatment. The combined treatments were found to be economically profitable. The treatment combination of 175 kg NPK + 4t Poultry Manure ha-1 was more superior in the areas assessed.