Evaluation of Different Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Cultivars for Yield and Biomass Production

Abstract

In a field experiment conducted at Girija Prasad Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Center, Morang, Nepal, spanning from April to August 2022, the study aimed to assess the yield and biomass production of various okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) varieties, including Arka Anamika, Chandani, Chiranjeevi F1, F1 Glory, Gunjan, JK1666, OH-940, Punjab Selection, R35 Selection, and Swastik-2. Results unveiled significant variability among the varieties, with F1 Glory (0.91 Kg/m2) and Punjab Selection (0.96 Kg/m2) emerging as top performers in average yield per m2. Conversely, Arka Anamika, Gunjan, and JK1666 exhibited the lowest yields. Notably, Punjab Selection (4.17 Kg/m2), OH-940 (4.28 Kg/m2), and Swastik-2 (3.86 Kg/m2) showed the highest fresh biomass, while Gunjan had the lowest biomass. F1 Glory demonstrated the highest harvest index (1.14), followed by Chandani and Punjab Selection (both 0.88). These findings underscore the significant impact of varietal selection on okra productivity, highlighting the potential of Punjab Selection and F1 Glory for further exploration in vegetable cultivation and biomass production. The study underscores the importance of varietal selection in enhancing okra productivity and biomass production. Farmers should consider planting high-yielding varieties such as Punjab Selection and F1 Glory to maximize their yields and biomass. Additionally, further research is needed to explore optimal cultivation practices and management techniques tailored to these high-performing varieties. This study provides actionable recommendations for farmers to improve okra cultivation practices, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity in Nepal and comparable agro-ecological conditions.