MSc

The studies on “Validation of farmers’ practice of organic manuring in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench” were carried out in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2010-11. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The variety Arka Anamika was used for the study. The organic manures used were FYM, poultry manure, vermicompost, panchagavya, fish amino acid, amrutha pani, fermented oil cake solution and fermented plant extract. In all treatments except T1, mulching was provided. The study revealed that okra cultivated under organic treatments gave good results.
Application of organic manures registered significantly higher plant growth and was superior to the inorganic ones (T1 and T2). Maximum height (3.61 m) was recorded in the treatment T4 and it was on par with T11. The maximum numbers of branches were also recorded in the treatment with poultry manure (T4). It was on par with the treatment with fermented plant extract (T11), but T1 recorded the lowest.
Among the yield attributes, maximum average fruit weight was recorded by the treatment T11 (20.17 g) and was on par with T4 (20.10 g) and T9 (19.93 g). Minimum average fruit weight was in the treatment T1 (15.10 g). The fruit length varied from 15.59 cm (T1) to 20.34 cm (T11). The treatments T3, T4, T8, T9 and T11 were on par in fruit length. The maximum fruit girth was recorded in the treatments T4 and T11 (7.87 cm).
Number of fruits per plant (74.67) and yield per plant (661.17 g) registered significant improvement in treatments with poultry manure alone. It was on par with T11 (Fermented Plant Extract). Towards the end of the experiment there was a significant increase in the soil organic carbon and organic matter by the application of organic manures. The available N and P contents were slightly higher in treatments T3 to T12 than in T1 and T2 where the inorganic fertilizers were used. The K content of the soil improved uniformly in all treatments irrespective of whether it was organic or inorganic.
There was an improvement of bulk density, water holding capacity and pore space due to the application of various organic treatments, which showed significant difference among the treatments. Minimum bulk density (1.06 g cm-3) was found in the treatment T11 whereas T1 registered maximum bulk density (1.49 g cm-3). Maximum pore space (54.83 %) was found in T11 and water holding capacity (51.51 %) in the treatment T4 whereas T1 had the minimum pore space (52.60 %) and water holding capacity (29.33 %). The microbial population (fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes) of the soils under organic treatments was on a higher side when compared to the inorganics.
The highest benefit: cost ratio (3.40) was recorded in the treatment T4. This was closely followed by T11 (3.00). The lowest benefit: cost ratio (1.80) was recorded in T1. Considering the overall performance, application of organic manures was highly beneficial for the growth and yield of okra. Addition of organics alone could supply nutrients, at the optimum level, to support a steady growth rate which finally resulted in higher yield and quality of the produce. The upgradation of physical and biological properties of the soil was also experienced in the experimental plots. Similarly mulching also proved to be highly influential in boosting production of okra.