VARIETAL PERFORMANCE OF OKRA UNDER LITCHI BASED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Agroforestry and Environment Research Farm, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur, during April to July 2014 to evaluate the varietal performance of okra cv. Hybrid, BARI dheros-3 and local variety under litchi based agroforestry systems along with sole cropping i.e. open field condition. The experiment was laid out in two factors randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were factor A: two production system viz. T1 (litchi + okra) and T2 (okra sole cropping). On the other hand factor B was 3 okra varieties viz. V1 (okra hybrid variety), V2 (BARI dheros-3) and V3 (okra local variety). So the treatment combinations were: T1 V1, T1 V2, T1 V3, T2 V1, T2 V2 and T2 V3. The Experimental results revealed that litchi based agroforestry system with three different variety were found to significant on growth and yield of okra. Significantly the highest number of fruit plant-1 (7.24), longest fruit length (12.73 cm) and fruit girth (6.71 cm) were found in okra sole cropping production system and the lowest number of fruit plant-1 (6.01), shortest fruit length (12.18 cm) and fruit girth (6.28 cm) was found in litchi + okra based agroforestry system. Significantly, the highest okra fruit yield (10.01 t ha-1) was found in okra hybrid variety and the lowest fruit yield (8.31 t ha-1) was observed in okra local variety, respectively. Moreover, The highest fruit weight plant-1 (157.70 g) was recorded in open + okra, hybrid variety treatment combination and lowest fruit weight plant-1 (99.00 g) was recorded in litchi + okra, local variety (T1V3) treatment combination. Significantly, the highest yield (10.28 tha-1) was found in open + okra, hybrid variety (T2V1) treatment combination. On the other hand the lowest yield (7.73 tha-1) was recorded in litchi + okra, local variety (T1V3) treatment combination, respectively. Finally it will be concluded that okra hybrid variety performed superior in sole cropping as well as in the floor of litchi orchard.