Background: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a very popular vegetable in the world due to its acceptability in most markets. The effect of water stress on Okra plants under different water treatment conditions was investigated. Among various abiotic stresses, water stress is one of the most dynamic and worst stresses that hinder plant growth and development, and limit crop productivity more than any other ecological component depending on the genotype, duration, intensity, and developmental stage of the plants.
Aim: The present study assesses the Role of Irrigation
Intervals on the Vegetative Growth of Okra (Abelmoschus
esculentus) in Makurdi, Benue State.
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at Benue
State University, Makurdi. Horticultural pots were filled with about 6000 grams
of soil. Two varieties of okra namely rainy season and Clemson spineless were
sown in the soils and were watered constantly for 14 days after which watering
intervals of 3, 5, and 7 days were imposed. The experiment was arranged in a
2x4 factorial scheme fitted into a completely randomized design. Data were
analyzed using Analysis of Variance and Fisher’s least significant difference
was used to separate means at a 5% level of significance. Results:
Significantly higher height for Clemson spineless variety (15.48) compared to
rainy season variety (12.89).
Results and
Discussion: The higher number of leaves, the number of shed leaves, and days to
flowering were recorded for rainy season variety (8.60, 0.48, and 16.83)
compared to Clemson spineless (8.52, 0.46, and 16.50). Significantly higher
height, number of leaves, and fewer days to first flowering were recorded for
control (16.50, 9.38, and 16.46) compared to 3 days (14.47, 9.04, and 16.50), 5
days (13.35, 8.67, and 16.75) and 7 days (12.44, 7.17 and 16.96) respectively.
The higher number of shed leaves was recorded for 7 days (0.92) compared to 3
days (0.29) 5 days (0.46) and control (0.21). Interaction between Clemson
spineless variety and control produced significantly higher height (18.22)
compared to all other interactions except interaction between Clemson spineless
variety and 3-day watering interval (16.02). The number of leaves was
significantly higher for interactions between the rainy season variety and
control (9.58) compared to the other interactions. Interaction between the
rainy season variety at a 3-day watering interval and interaction of Clemson
spineless and control each produced a significantly lower number of shed leaves
(0.25) than the other treatment interactions. Interaction between Clemson
spineless and the control produced a significantly lower number of days to
flowering (16.33) compared to other treatment combinations. Watering interval
significantly influenced the growth of the Okra plant on all weeks examined.
The photosynthetic capacity of plants is usually enhanced by the presence of
leaves. The lowered number of leaves due to water stress on Okra plants caused
poor development of the crops and hence their reduced growth.
Conclusion: Crops watered daily resulted in better growth than
those subjected to water stress. Okra plants should be provided with an
adequate water supply to ensure their effective growth and development. Further
studies should be conducted to evaluate the effect of water stress on other
crops so as to provide wider literature to be reviewed for water stress effects
on crops.
Author
(s) Details
Liamngee Kator
Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, P.M.B. 102119,
Makurdi, Nigeria.
Justina Oma Obute
Centre for Food Technology and Research, Benue State University, Makurdi,
Nigeria.
Fayinminu Akintade
Ojo|
Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, P.M.B. 102119,
Makurdi, Nigeria.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crpbs/v8/3733
