Nutrient uptake of hybrid okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] under drip fertigation

An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of conventional fertilisers and water soluble fertilisers at varying frequency interval of application on nutrient uptake of hybrid okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised block design with two control involving ten treatments in a factorial way and was replicated thrice. The plot receiving daily fertigation of water soluble fertilisers (S₁F₁) had recorded the highest fruit N, P and K uptake (53.66, 9.19 and 30.14 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P and K respectively) followed by daily fertigation of conventional fertilisers (51.45, 8.85 and 29.40 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P and K respectively). However they were found to be at par. The plant uptake of N, P and K was also found to be higher in the treatment receiving water soluble fertilisers on daily basis (21.94, 5.29 and 15.21 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P and K respectively). Daily fertigation of conventional fertilisers (20.82, 5.04 and 14.66 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P and K respectively) was the next best treatment and it was not found to differ significantly from S, F_r The lowest post harvest available N, P and K recorded in plots receiving daily fertigation using water soluble fertilisers (47.27, 30.18 and 340.67 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P and K respectively) was found comparable to daily fertigation of conventional fertilisers (48.08, 30.75 and 341.67 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P and K respectively). The maximum post harvest available soil N, P and K was recorded in control wherein the entire recommended fertilisers were applied in soil.