Impact of Frontline Demonstration on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) Yield Improvement

The major constraint for low productivity of okra in the Dahod District of Gujarat is non adoption of recommended package of practices and lack of awareness about the improved okra cultivation. To replace this old age technology Krishi Vigyan Kendra, AAU, Dahod conducted 30 front line demonstrations on high yielding variety (GAO-5) during kharif season 2013 and 2014. Cultivation practices comprised under FLDs viz. use of high yielding variety, maintained recommended plant to plant and row to row distances, recommended dose of organic and inorganic fertilizers and control of diseases and pest. An average yield of okra in FLDs ranged from 124.60 to 126.40 q/ha whereas in local practices 103.20 and 103.80 q/ha during 2013 and 2014, respectively. It was recorded that the percentage increase yield with high yielding variety over local variety was recorded in range of 20.74 to 21.77 %. Similarly, the extension gap ranged between 21.40 to 22.60 q/ha during the years 2013 and 2014, respectively.