EFFECT OF CULTIVARS AND POTASSIUM ON THE GROWTH, YIELD AND NUTRIENT CONTENT OF OKRA

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the experimental Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAtJ), Dhaka during the period from April to July 2012 to study the elièct of cultivars and potassium on the growth. yield and nutrient content of okra. The test crop used in the experiment was Dherosh cultivar. The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A: Dherosh cultivars (2 cultivars) asC1: Arka Anarnica; C2: Dherosh F1 Green Lady and Factor B: Potassium fertilizer (4 levels) as-K0: 0 kg K20!ha (control): K1: 50 kg K20Iha; 1(2: 100 kg 1(20Iha and K3: 150 kg K20/ha. The two factors-experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. In ease of okra cultivar. at 20, 40, 60 and, 80 DAS, the tallest plant (24.58 cm, 52.20 cm. 74.92 cm and 89.95 cm, respectively) was recorded in C. whereas the shortest plant (22.70 cm, 48.91 cm. 69.48 cm and 84.18 cm, respectively) was observed in C. The maximum number of pods per plant (24.57) was observed in C1 and the minimum number (23.80) was recorded in C2. The highest yield per hectare (8.91 ton) was recorded in C1 and the lowest yield per hectare (8.03 ton) was found in C2. The highest potassium content in pod (1.17%) was recorded in C1 and the lowest potassium (1.08%) in C2. For potassium fertilizer, at 20, 40, 60 and 80 DAS, the tallest plant (25.23 cm, 53.50 cm, 81.30 cm and 84.70 cm. respectively) was observed in K7, while the shortest plant (21.48 cm. 46.54 cm, 63.40 cm and 78.03 cm. respectively) was recorded in K0. The maximum number of pods per plant (25.07) was observed in K2, again the minimum number (23.30) was recorded in K0. The highest yield per hectare (9.28 ton) was recorded in K2, whereas the lowest yield per hectare (7.22 ton) was recorded in K0. The highest potassium content in pod (1.34%) was recorded in K3, whereas the lowest (0.82%) potassium in K0. Due to the combined effect of okra cultivars and different levels of potassium, at 20,40.60 and 80 DAS. the tallest plant (25.57 cm, 54.13 cm, 78.80 cm and 94.20 cm, respectively) was found in C1K2 and the shortest plant (20.06 cm, 41.78 cm, 51.00 cm and 70.80 cm, respectively) in C2K0. The maximum number of pods per plant (25.60) was found in C1 K2 and the minimum number (22.67) in C2K0. The highest yield per hectare (9.75 ton) was found in C1 K2. while the lowest yield per hectare (6.91 ton) in C2K0. The highest potassium content in pod (1.43%) was found in C1 K3. while the lowest potassium (0.75%) in C2K0. Form the findings it was revealed that Arka Anamica okra cultivar with 100 kg K20/ha was the best combination for attaining highest yield contributing characters and yield of okra.