Effect of dates of sowing and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of okra

A field study was conducted at COA, Bikaner to elucidate the effect of dates of sowing and nitrogen levels on growth and yield in okra (Varsha Uphar) during kharif, 2014. Results indicated a remarkable significant influence on all the vegetative growth attributes, flower characters and yield parameters in different dates of sowing and levels of nitrogen. The maximum plant height (96.92 cm), number of fruit per plant (17.28), length of fruit at harvest (18.03 cm) and fresh fruit yield (83.44 qha⁻¹) were recorded under 20^th July sowing as compared toother sowing dates. Similarly, in respect toearliness i.e., days to plant emergence (9.27) and days to first flowering (37.00) were observed under 20^th July sown crop. The superiority of 20^th July sown crop is further manifested by higher net return (Rs. 82308.83 ha⁻¹) and B: C ratio (3.38). Application of 100 per cent RDN recorded significantly higher plant height (96.59 cm), number of fruits per plant (18.08), length of fruit at harvest (18.13 cm) and fresh fruit yield (91.64 q ha⁻¹). However, with respect to earliness i.e., days to first flowering (36.33) was minimum with no nitrogen. Significantly higher net return (Rs. 93484.77 ha⁻¹) and B: C ratio (3.69) was recorded due to application of 100 per cent recommended dose of nitrogen. While 125 per cent RDN gave at par values of all these parameters. Whereas, application of different levels of N had no significant effect on plant emergence. The treatment combination of 20^thJuly sowing date+ 100per cent RDN resulted in higher valuesfor plant height(99.56 cm), number of fruits per plant (20.42) and fresh fruit yield per hectare (95.09 q ha⁻¹)