Influence of varieties, organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

A field investigation was carried out during Rabi season, 2016–17 at Vegetable Research Field, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. The experiment was comprised of two varieties (Kashi Pragati and Kashi Kranti) and seven nutrient levels with different sources of nutrients including organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers. Variety V₁ (Kashi Pragati) exhibited maximum plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, internodal length, SPAD value, fresh weight and dry weight of plant, earliest days to 50% flowering and days to first picking. Similarly, maximum number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per hectare in variety Kashi Pragati. Quality parameters i. e. protein content (%) and fibre content (%) in fruit were also found maximum in case of variety Kashi Pragati. Among the nutrient levels, application of 50% NPK + 50% N through vermicompost (62.5:40:40 NPK + 4.1 t/ha) showed highest growth, yield, quality parameters and yield of okra. The gross income, net income and benefit: cost ratio was found to be superior with variety Kashi Pragati and nutrient level 50% NPK + 50% N through vermicompost(62.5:40:40 NPK + 4.1 t/ha).