EFFECT OF SOWING METHODS AND PICKING INTERVALS ON FRESH YIELD AND SEED PRODUCTION OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L.)
EFFECT OF SOWING METHODS AND PICKING INTERVALS ON FRESH YIELD AND SEED PRODUCTION OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L.)
Abdul Basit1, Ayesha Zahid1, Syed Tanveer Shah1, Inayat Ullah2, Sana Ullah3*, Muhammad
Kashif Nawaz4, Muhammad Areeb Khalid1, Izhar Ullah5, Fawad Ali1, Shaukat Ali1
ABSTRACT
To study the effect of various planting beds and picking time on yield of okra, a
research study was conducted at Horticulture Research Farm, Malakander, The University of
Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. Okra seeds of cultivar Swat Green were planted into two
different types of sowing methods (ridges and flat beds), and reduced to various number of
picking (3, 4, and 5 intervals). The results of the present study revealed that okra plants
sown on the ridges recorded maximum germination percentage (96.9%), fruit weight
(22.41g), pod length (14.44 cm), seed pod-1 (48), 100 seed weight (6.41 g), seed yield
(102.2 kg ha-1) and fresh yield (0.165 tons ha-1). Data regarding number of picking intervals
showed that maximum germination percentage (92.7%), fruit weight (20.97 g), pod length
(12.25 cm), seed yield (103.3 kg ha-1), and seed pod-1 (43) were recorded in 3 pickings.
Whereas, data for maximum 100 seed weight (6.6 g) for picking intervals was recorded in 4
pickings and maximum fresh yield (0.148 tons ha-1) in 5 pickings. Infestation of weeds can
cause a significant loss in okra yield which needs urgent integrated management. Cyperus
rotundus, Echinochloa crusgalli and Digitaria sanguinalis were the main weeds observed
during the study against which local farmers used various manual, mechanical and chemical
control methods. It is concluded that okra plant sown on ridges and almost 3 picking
intervals significantly affected the growth and seed yield hence recommended for the agro
climatic condition of Peshawar. Furthermore, Excessive use of chemical herbicides should be
avoided to prevent environmental and human health hazards.
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September 2021
Vol. 27, Iss. 3, Pages 253-441
