Effect of organic manure and sowing date on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

A field trial was conducted to study the effect of organic manure and sowing date during the 2013 cropping season at the Teaching and Research Farm of Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on the growth and yield of okra. Treatments consist; no manure (control), cow manure, sheep manure and poultry manure and sowing date of 8th May, 2013, 22nd May, 2013, 5th June, 2013 and 19th June, 2013 cropping season and laid out in a split plot design with organic manure assigned to the main plots; whereas sowing date to the sub plots with three replications. Data were collected on growth and yield parameters; Plant height, number of leaves plant-1, number of branches plant-1, leaf area plant-1, number of pods plant-1, pod length plant-1, pod girth plant-1, pod yield plot-1 and pod yield hectare-1. Results obtained indicated that growth and yield of okra was lowest in control treatments which showed that the organic manure and sowing date used in the study especially poultry manure and sowing date of 5th June, 2013 positively influenced the performance and yield of okra. Poultry manure and sowing date 5th June, 2013 positively increased okra plant height and number of leaves plant-1, number of branches plant-1, number of pods plant-1, pod yield plot-1 and pod yield hectare-1 compared to control treatments. There was no significant effect with respect to leaf area plant-1, pod length plant-1 and pod girth plant- 1. Based on the findings of this experiment it could be deduced that poultry manure and sowing date of 5th June, 2013 promoted higher growth and yield of okra.