Phenotypic Variability and Stability of Okra Accessions Using Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability Descriptors |Chapter 5 | Research Perspective on Biological Science Vol. 10

 

Background: Okra is a vegetable of major nutritional and economic importance in tropical and subtropical regions. In Benin, its production remains limited by disease and pest pressure and the lack of high-performing varieties. Genetic improvement of okra is emerging as a strategic solution. Morphological characterisation based on qualitative traits of crops is a very crucial and essential first step in any crop improvement and breeding programme.

 

Study Aim: This study aims to assess agro-morphological traits of five varieties (TZSMN86, AVOK1501, AVOK1505, AVOK1502 and C101), as part of the requirements for their inclusion in the Beninese Catalogue of Plant Species and Varieties (CaBEV).

 

Methodology: Field trials were conducted using a Fisher Block design with five treatments and four replicates. Sowing was carried out on September 12, 2023, and April 19, 2024, for the first and second cycles, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative morphological data were collected from 20 plants per variety following the guidelines of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The criteria of Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) were assessed over two cycles of on-station trials. Agreement between qualitative parameter classifications across production seasons was assessed using Cohen's Kappa coefficient, while phenological and agro-morphological data were analysed using generalised linear and linear mixed-effect models, followed by Tukey's post hoc tests for mean comparisons, in R (v4.3.0) with variety and season as fixed factors and block as a random factor.

 

Results: Findings revealed that several qualitative traits were uniform, while significant differences (P < 0.05) were noted in leaf blade colour and fruit shape. Quantitative data indicate significant variability between genotypes across seasons. Total fruit yield (including both commercial and non-commercial fruits) did not show any significant difference between cycles (P = 1). Ascending hierarchical clustering (AHC) grouped the varieties into three distinct clusters. Accessions AVOK1502 and AVOK1505 also showed good stability across seasons.

 

Conclusion: These results provide a scientific basis for the approval and registration of high-performing okra varieties (TZSMN86, AVOK1501, AVOK1505, AVOK1502 and C101) in the national variety catalogue. Directed crosses between the best-performing accessions, such as AVOK1502 and AVOK1505, could be considered with the aim of creating new hybrid varieties with improved characteristics.

 

 

Author(s) Details

A. C. G. Mensah
Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), Centre de Recherches Agricoles en Horticulture (CRA-H), Programme de Recherches sur les Cultures Maraîchères, 01 BP 884, Cotonou 01, Bénin.

 

A. B. B. Kouderin
Unité de Recherche Horticole et Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Laboratoire des Sciences Végétales, Horticoles et Forestières, Ecole d’Horticulture et d’Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, BP 43 Kétou, Bénin.

 

W. T. Koura
Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), Centre de Recherches Agricoles en Horticulture (CRA-H), Programme de Recherches sur les Cultures Maraîchères, 01 BP 884, Cotonou 01, Bénin.

 

M. Sikirou
Unité de Recherche Horticole et Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Laboratoire des Sciences Végétales, Horticoles et Forestières, Ecole d’Horticulture et d’Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, BP 43 Kétou, Bénin.

 

D. A. J. Azagba
Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), Centre de Recherches Agricoles en Horticulture (CRA-H), Programme de Recherches sur les Cultures Maraîchères, 01 BP 884, Cotonou 01, Bénin.

 

F. Yalinkpon
Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, École Doctorale des Sciences Agronomiques et de l'Eau (EDSAE), Université d'Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Bénin.

 

M. Zandjanankou-Tachin
Unité de Recherche Horticole et Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Laboratoire des Sciences Végétales, Horticoles et Forestières, Ecole d’Horticulture et d’Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, BP 43 Kétou, Bénin.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpbs/v10/7169

Potential of Neem (Azadirachta indica) as an Organic Fertilizer and Biopesticide for Improving Soil Fertility, Foliar Pest Suppression, and Okra Growth | Chapter 11 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 4

 

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a vital vegetable crop grown in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Okra provides a valuable source of vitamins, minerals, calories, and amino acids. Conventional reliance on chemical fertilisers, while enhancing soil fertility, is costly and contributes to land degradation. Additionally, global interest in biorational pesticides (botanical and microbial) is increasing for the sustainable management of pests. Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a rapidly growing tree from the mahogany family (Meliaceae), and it has traditionally been used in agriculture, the environment, and public health. Recent studies, however, have not explored the promising impact of neem as a basal and foliar organic fertiliser and pesticide. This study was conducted to investigate and examine the use of neem as a basal organic fertiliser and pesticide alternative for environmental and consumer safety. The purpose was to assess the efficacy of an organic integrated pest management (IPM) module against nematodes and insect pests of okra during the primary growing season of 2022. Using a randomised complete block design with three replications, the study evaluated seven treatments, including neem leaf paste (NLP), neem leaf extract (NLE), synthetic fertilisers (NPK), and controls in 5×4 m plots. A total of 42 (21 samples each) soil samples were taken from the study area, bagged, labelled, and transported to the laboratory for physicochemical analysis. The results revealed that the organic IPM module (NLP × NLE) significantly improved soil health parameters by increasing organic matter content by 53% compared to the control, while reducing the C/N ratio. The treatment also showed remarkable pest suppression, decreasing root-knot nematode populations by 89% and maintaining beneficial insect numbers. Neem-treated plots experienced a 40% reduction in foliar damage from Podagrica spp., resulting in a yield increase of 296% compared to the control. These findings demonstrate a practical application of neem in sustainable okra cultivation, thereby offering a low-cost and environmentally friendly solution for smallholder farmers. The result of this study presents a practical application of neem in sustainable okra cultivation by offering cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions for smallholder farmers. The organic IPM module 3 is therefore recommended for improving soil fertility, reducing soil and foliar pest pressure, and enhancing crop yield safely and sustainably.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Adams Sadick
CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Academy Post Office, Kwadaso-Kumasi, Ghana.

 

Esther Marfo-Ahenkora
CSIR-Animal Research Institute, Post Office Box AH20, Achimota, Ghana.

 

Prince Martin Gyekye
CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Post Office Box M32, Accra Centre, Ghana.

 

Judith Frimpong-Manso
CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Academy Post Office, Kwadaso-Kumasi, Ghana.

 

Mohammed Musah
CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Academy Post Office, Kwadaso-Kumasi, Ghana.

 

Augustine Agyekum
CSIR-Animal Research Institute, Post Office Box AH20, Achimota, Ghana.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v4/6273

Effect of Irrigation Levels on Growth and Yield of Okra under Mulching | Chapter 7 | Research Highlights in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 9

 A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the mulching and different irrigation levels on growth and yield of okra at farm, college of agricultural engineering Kandi, Sangareddy. The treatments of the study comprised of randomized block design with black plastic mulch (BPM) and silver plastic mulch (SPM) under drip irrigation. Three different irrigation levels 1.2 ET, 1.0 ET and 0.75 ET were used for comparative study. Irrigation scheduling throughout the crop period was done by installing open pan evaporimeter. The pan evaporation and crop evapotranspiration values significantly vary over different stages of okra crop. The maximum and minimum average daily pan evaporation was recorded 17 mm and 1 mm at mid stage and late stage of okra crop respectively while, the maximum average daily ETc was recorded 9 mm day-1 at mid stage of okra crop. Vegetative parameters such as Plant height, No. of leaves, No. of branches and yield parameters i.e., pod length, pod per plant, pod weight, pod yield were observed to be affected by irrigation levels and mulching. The study revealed that vegetative growth found good in silver plastic mulch for all the treatments as compared to black plastic mulch. The yield is observed maximum in BPM under 1.0 ET and found to be most suitable for getting higher yield of okra due to optimum irrigation level.

Author(s) Details:

B. Lakshmi,
College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi, Sangareddy, India.

B. Pooja,
College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi, Sangareddy, India.

Ch. Akshithaa,
College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi, Sangareddy, India.

D. Anjali,
College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi, Sangareddy, India.

G. Haripriya,
College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi, Sangareddy, India.

Radha Srivalli,
College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi, Sangareddy, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RHAS-V9/article/view/9473