15. Effect of biofertilizer, zinc and boron on growth and yield of okra under the agro climatic conditions of Swat
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Abstract
The experiment titled “Effect of biofertilizer (Trichoderma harzianum) and micronutrients zinc and boron on growth and yield of okra” was conducted in (ARI) Agriculture Research Institute North Mingora Swat, during 2017. Research work was performed in a Randomized Complete Block Design with split plot arrangement in three replications. Two factors were used in the experiment i.e. Trichoderma ( 0, 10, 20 kg ha-1) and micronutrients; zinc and boron (0, zinc 10 kg ha-1, boron 5 kg ha-1, zinc+boron). The analyzed data showed that Trichoderma significantly enhanced all the growth parameters. Minimum days to emergence (5.85), days to flowering (39.88), number of days to first picking (46.69), maximum plant height (131.60 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (35.82 ), pod length (15.96 cm), pod weight (24.33 g) and fresh pod yield (14.50 tons ha-1) were recorded in plots treated with 20 kg ha-1trichoderma. Zinc and boron combination significantly affected the growth and yield of okra. Plants treated with zinc + boron resulted in minimum days to emergence (5.63), days to 50 % flowering (39.45), number of days to first picking (47.12) maximum plant height (131.25 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (35.71), pod length (15.63 cm), pod weight (24.98g) and pod yield (14.73 tons ha-1). It was found that Trichoderma is the best biofertilizer and should be used at the rate of 20 kg ha-1, while micronutrients (Zinc 10 kg ha-1 and Boron 5 kg ha-1) should be utilized for good growth and yield of okra in swat climate.
Keywords: Biofertilizer; Boron; Okra; Zinc