Vol. 12, Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
Rajeev Shankar, Rajaneesh Singh, Hari Baksh, Raj Pandey, Aman Srivastav and Maurya Suhashini Jayprakash

Abstract:
The supply of nutrients to the crops for efficient crop production is the most important factor in agriculture, next to the irrigation. Currently, agricultural production is at torpor because the genetic potential of different vegetable crops or varieties is being used to the maximum extent possible by application of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). Finding a suitable advancement to address this issue is the biggest challenge that our scientific community is facing at present. Among the many strategies which are being currently investigated, nutrient management through the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers is crucial for boosting vegetable production. Continuous use of inorganic fertilizers alone degrades soil, pH imbalance and pollutes the ecosystem. Thus, the adoption of an integrated nutrient management method is the best alternative system for the long-term and economically viable management of soil fertility and crop productivity. A field experiment was carried out at the experimental unit of Department of Horticulture, Tilak Dhari Post Graduate College, and Jaunpur (U.P.), to evaluate the influence of “Impact of integrated nutrient management on vegetative growth), flowering and economic yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) cv. Arka Anamika”. Eleven treatments of 50%, 75% and 100% RDF with a combination of FYM, Vermicompost, and Town Compost were used in the replicated trial. The application (100% NPK) in T2 produced the maximum plant height (119.24 cm), number of leaves per plant (32.36), number of branches per plant (2.92), number of internodes per plant (20.87), whereas the application of (75% NPK + 25% VC) in T4 produced the highest intermodal length (7.65). On the other hand, the application of (50% NPK + 50% VC) in T7 resulted in the minimum number of days to first flowering (40.31 days), maximum number of flowers per plant (21.20), days to first fruit set (42.01 days), number of fruits per plant (17.20), fruit weight (16.33 g), fruit yield per plot (5.62 kg), fruit yield per hectare (187.31 q/ha) with good quality okra and highest net income (Rs. 425252) and B:C ratio (4.10:1). Thus, the best approach to increase productivity and economic yield of okra is to combine the use of organic and inorganic sources.