Susan Anna John
Productivity of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) as influenced by crops combinatons - Vellanikkara Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture 2001
Investigations on the productivity of okra as influenced by crop combinations
were conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm of the Department of Olericulture,
College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2000-2001.
The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three
replications during two seasons. The base crop okra was raised at two different
spacings along with intercrops amaranthus, cowpea and cucumber. Sole crops were
also raised as control. Observations were made on growth characters, yield and
yield attributing characters. Biological efficiency and economic suitability of the
system were worked out using different indices.
The results revealed that intercropping and spacing did not significantly
influence the growth characters in okra, amaranthus, cowpea and cucumber. Yield
per ha was higher at closer spacing of okra while the per plant performance was
superior at wider spacing. Fruit characters like length, girth and single fruit weight
of okra were not significantly influenced byspacing and intercropping.
LER, LEC, ATER, aggressivity values and total biomass production
revealed the biosuitability of okra based cropping system. LER was found to be
more than unity in all the combinations, indicating the possibility of intercropping in
okra. Aggressivity values clearly pointed out that cowpea and amaranthus were
dominant over okra while cucumber was dominated.
Economic analysis revealed that gross return, net return and per day return
were highest for the combination of okra +cowpea at 60x45cm spacing. Effective
weed suppression and reduction in pest incidence was also noticed in this system.
Intercropping with cowpea led to a significant increase in the organic carbon and
available nitrogen contents of the soil.
Thus the study conclusively revealed the scope of recommending
okra+cowpea at 60x45cm spacing as an economically viable, biologically suitable
and sustainable cropping system to increase the productivity of vegetables.
635.6 / SUS/PR
Productivity of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) as influenced by crops combinatons - Vellanikkara Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture 2001
Investigations on the productivity of okra as influenced by crop combinations
were conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm of the Department of Olericulture,
College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2000-2001.
The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three
replications during two seasons. The base crop okra was raised at two different
spacings along with intercrops amaranthus, cowpea and cucumber. Sole crops were
also raised as control. Observations were made on growth characters, yield and
yield attributing characters. Biological efficiency and economic suitability of the
system were worked out using different indices.
The results revealed that intercropping and spacing did not significantly
influence the growth characters in okra, amaranthus, cowpea and cucumber. Yield
per ha was higher at closer spacing of okra while the per plant performance was
superior at wider spacing. Fruit characters like length, girth and single fruit weight
of okra were not significantly influenced byspacing and intercropping.
LER, LEC, ATER, aggressivity values and total biomass production
revealed the biosuitability of okra based cropping system. LER was found to be
more than unity in all the combinations, indicating the possibility of intercropping in
okra. Aggressivity values clearly pointed out that cowpea and amaranthus were
dominant over okra while cucumber was dominated.
Economic analysis revealed that gross return, net return and per day return
were highest for the combination of okra +cowpea at 60x45cm spacing. Effective
weed suppression and reduction in pest incidence was also noticed in this system.
Intercropping with cowpea led to a significant increase in the organic carbon and
available nitrogen contents of the soil.
Thus the study conclusively revealed the scope of recommending
okra+cowpea at 60x45cm spacing as an economically viable, biologically suitable
and sustainable cropping system to increase the productivity of vegetables.
635.6 / SUS/PR