Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fresh cow dung on growth and quality parameters and nutrient content of okra. The field experiment comprised of eight treatments and conducted in randomized block design with three replications. Treatments consist of (T₁) Control, Recommended dose of fertilizer N:P: K (150:50:00 kg/ha) (T₂), 75% RDF + 1000 kg cow dung/ha as basal (T₃), 75% RDF + 1000 kg cow dung/ha (50% as basal and 50% at 30 days after sowing) (T₄), 75% RDF + 1500 kg cow dung/ha as basal (T₅), 75% RDF + 1500 kg cow dung/ha (50% as basal and 50% at 30 days after sowing) (T₆), 75% RDF + 2000 kg cow dung/ha as basal (T₇) and 75% RDF + 2000 kg cow dung/ha (50% as basal and 50% at 30 days after sowing) (T₈). The result indicated that treatment T₆ [75% RDF + 1500 kg cow dung/ha (50% as basal and 50% at 30 days after sowing)] gave minimum days to 50% flowering (42.00), minimum days to first picking (47.00), maximum plant height (194.34 cm), maximum number of branches/plant (3.11). While, maximum days to last picking (106.67) was noted in T₈ [75% RDF + 2000 kg cow dung/ha (50% as basal and 50% at 30 days after sowing)], maximum chlorophyll content (SPAD) (50.18), minimum crude fiber (30.74%) and maximum ascorbic acid (16.44 mg/100 g). In chemical analysis maximum fruit nutrient content (2.88% N, 0.62% P, 1.44% K) and maximum plant nutrient content (1.60% N, 0.37% P, 2.03% K) also obtained in T₆ [75% RDF + 1500 kg cow dung/ha (50% as basal and 50% at 30 days after sowing)].