Effect of Zinc and Boron on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract

The study was carried out to find out the effect of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) on growth and yield of okra (BARI Dherosh 1). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments of the experiment were, T0 (without Zn or B), T1 (20 kg Zn ha-1), T2 (30 kg Zn ha-1), T3 (10 kg B ha-1), T4 (20 kg B ha-1), T5 (20 kg Zn ha-1 + 10 kg B ha-1), T6 (20 kg Zn ha-1 + 20 kg B ha-1), T7 (30 kg Zn ha-1 + 10 kg B ha-1) and T8 (30 kg Zn ha-1 + 20 kg B ha-1) were undertaken to evaluate the best results of the study. The highest plant height was found in T8 (30 kg Zn ha-1 + 20 kg B ha-1) but the highest number of leaves plant-1 was recorded from T7 (30 kg Zn ha-1 + 10 kg B ha-1). On the other hand, the maximum leaf area index, SPAD value, mean fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit dry matter (%), number of fruits plant-1, fresh fruit weight plant-1 , fruit yield plot-1 and fruit yield ha-1 were found in T7 (30 kg Zn ha-1 + 10 kg B ha-1), while the control (T0) showed lowest performance for the respected parameters. It is strongly concluded that 30 kg Zn ha-1 with 10 kg B ha-1 combination may be helpful for okra cultivation in the field level to increase okra production.