Evaluating the Efficacy of Vermiwash Foliar Spray on Yield and Nutrient Uptake in Okra

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2023-24 at the Division of Soil Science, Dr. Sharadchandra Pawar College of Agriculture, Baramati to assess the efficacy of vermiwash foliar spray on yield and nutrient uptake in okra. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications included eight treatments (T1-T8) with combinations of GRDF and vermiwash sprays applied at 30, 38 and 46 DAS and evaluated yield along with the uptake of macronutrients (N, P, K) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu). The application of vermiwash foliar sprays significantly enhanced the nutrient uptake of N, P and K in okra. The highest yield (26.66-ton ha⁻¹) and nutrient uptake, including N (76.83 kg ha⁻¹), P (21.60 kg ha⁻¹), K (49.06 kg ha⁻¹), Fe (819.1 g ha⁻¹), Mn (479.12 g ha⁻¹), Zn (153.63 g ha⁻¹) and Cu (203.45 g ha⁻¹) were observed in T8 (100% GRDF + 30% vermiwash) followed by T7, T6 and T5. Treatments with lower vermiwash concentrations showed reduced nutrient uptake, and statistical analysis revealed significant differences among the treatments. It was concluded that combining higher concentrations of vermiwash with GRDF significantly improves okra yield and nutrient uptake.