Effect of sources of nutrients and their levels on yield, quality and economics of summer season okra

A field experiment was conducted during summer season of 2005 and 2006 to assess the effects of sources of nutrients and their levels on the performance of okra. Four doses of vermicompost (0, 3, 4 and 5 t ha⁻¹) and four levels of chemical fertilizer, 0,40:30:30, 60:45:45 and 80:60:60 kg NPK ha⁻¹ were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. It was observed that incorporation of vermicompost 5 t ha⁻¹ resulted significantly higher fruit yield (69.2 q ha⁻¹) and protein content (18.0%) as well as B:C ratio (2.11). Whereas plant height (97.7 cm), nodes plant⁻¹ (14), fruit length (10 cm), fruit diameter (1.8 cm), yield (73.8 q ha⁻¹) as well as protein content (18.5%) were recorded with the fertility of level 80:60:60 kg NPK ha⁻¹. This treatment also recorded the highest net return of Rs. 46,152 ha⁻¹ and gave maximum benefit: cost ratio of Rs. 2.68. Increasing dose of vermicompost and fertilizer in combinations significantly increased the yield and yield attributes, nutrient contents and B:C ratio over preceding lower levels. Maximum fruit yield of 86.4 q ha⁻¹ alongwith the B:C ratio of Rs. 2.66 were noted with the combination of vermicompost 5 t and 80:60:60 kg NPK ha⁻¹.