Productivity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) as influenced by crops combinations

Abstract

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.