Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Fruit Positions on Fruit and Seed Yields of Okro (Abelmoschus Esculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

Study was conducted in 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons at the experimental field of Federal University of Technology, Minna (9o 401N and 6o 301E), in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria to determine the effects of N fertilizer and the fruit positions on fruit and seed yield of okro. The treatment comprised factorial combination of five nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg/ha) and five fruit positions on a mother-plant (3, 5, 7, 9 and 10) which were replicated three times and laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The results indicated that significant taller plants were recorded in the plots that received 120 kg N/ha while shorter plants were recorded in plots that received 0 N/ha in both years of the study. The higher N level of 120 kg/ha and lower fruit position of 3 significantly gave higher number of fruit yield while the yield decreased with decrease in N level and increase in fruit position on the mother-plant. Similarly, heavier fruits were recorded in lower fruit positions and higher N levels. The fruits formed at the lower position 3 and 5 produced more seeds with higher seed weight than those formed at the higher positions. The results also showed that significantly higher seed yield was recorded at N level of 120 kg/ha ?.