Impact of different drip irrigation levels on growth and yield attributes of Okra
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Abstract
This research trial was designed to determine how different drip irrigation levels affect the growth and yield of okra. The trial was conducted using a single-factor experimental design with four treatments/drip irrigation levels: 2.00, 2.20, 2.40, and 3.00 hours, each replicated four times. It was observed that the minimum and maximum days for flowering were 44.25 and 48.25 days in T4 and T1, respectively. Furthermore, the tallest plant height was recorded in T4 (130.25 cm), while the shortest was in T1 (97.48 cm). The number of fruits per plant increased with higher irrigation levels; the highest and lowest counts were in T4 and T1 (23.25 and 14.50), respectively. Interestingly, drip irrigation levels did not affect pod length, as the longest and shortest pod lengths were observed in T4 and T1, measuring 10.08 and 8.20 cm, respectively. Similarly, the greatest and smallest single pod weights were found in T4 and T1, weighing 10.92 and 7.56 g, respectively. Moreover, pod weight per plant increased with the maximum irrigation level (T4) at 253.02 g and decreased with the minimum level (T1) at 146.73 g. Notably, there was a significant difference of 2.54 tons per hectare in yield; T4 achieved the highest yield of 10.30 tons per hectare, whereas T1 had the lowest yield of 7.76 tons per hectare. Based on the present study, it can be concluded that an adequate drip irrigation level of 3.00 hours every seven days is the optimal choice for irrigating okra crops.
Keywords: Drip; Flowering; Irrigation; Pods; Yield