Evaluation of Morphological Growth Response of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) to Simple Organic Supplements

Abstract

Soil health and nutrient availability are important for sustaining crop productivity and increasing yield. Farmers have practiced fortifyingsoil using various supplements (organic and inorganic, natural and synthetic) since the advent of modern agriculture. However, addinginorganic fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides has adversely affected our agroecosystems. Harmful chemicals from synthetic fertilizersget accumulated in soil and plant parts, causing serious health problems. The synthetic agri-products have detrimental effects onsoil fertility and soil microbiota, making the soil less fertile and unsuitable for cultivation. In the last decade, a paradigm shift in agripracticeshas occurred and organic farming has become a popular sustainable option to improve soil health and achieve sustainabledevelopment goals.The potential of various organic supplements has been studied in the present investigation on the growth parameters of an importantvegetable crop okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) valued for its multipurpose uses in various parts of the country. Pure line seeds of okravariety Arka Anamika were surface sterilized and used for the study. Plants were raised in plastic pots (10 inches) filled with soil treatedwith leaf compost, foliar spray (Gibberellic acid, 0.001%) and pine bark mulch. Garden soil without organic supplements served asa control. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications. An increase in the vegetativegrowth parameters and in reproductive parameters in all the treatments as compared to control was observed in the plants. Though alltreatments showed an increase in growth parameters, a significant increase was observed with mulch, suggesting that the mulch derivedfrom organic waste and residues have immense potential in improving crop health by making them more robust, and enhancing theyield. Investigating the amelioration of soil physico-chemical properties with these organic supplements and understanding their role inbetter crop performance is beneficial for the farmers. The present study also provides simple, sustainable, and eco-friendly biofertilizerpotential of self-prepared pine bark mulch for vegetable crops.