Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
AJ Patel, BN Satodiya, KD Rathod and JJ Dhruve

Abstract:
A two-year experiment on “Influence of varieties to foliar application of Zn and Fe for growth, yield and quality of okra” was carried out at Horticultural Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand in Kharif season during the year 2020 and 2021. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept with three replications and fourteen treatment combinations comprising of two varieties i.e., V₁: GAO 5 and V₂: GO 6 and seven level of foliar application of Zn and Fe viz., M₁: FeSO₄ @ 0.50%, M₂: ZnSO₄ @ 0.50%, M₃: Fe EDDHA @ 0.1%, M₄: Fe EDDHA @ 0.2%, M₅: Zn EDTA @ 0.1%, M₆: Zn EDTA @ 0.2% and M₇: Control (Water spray). The foliar application of Fe and Zn were sprayed in four frequencies at 30, 40, 50 and 60 DAS. The influence of varieties and foliar application of Zn and Fe as well as their interactions on growth, yield and quality of okra were recorded. Variety GAO 5 recorded significantly, maximum leaf area at 60 DAS (479.99 cm²), dry weight of plant at 90 DAS (37.75 g), pod length (12.98 cm), yield (13.91 t/ha), fiber content (2.56%), chlorophyll content (0.496 mg/100 g), phenol content (0.122%) with minimum leaf membrane Injury (32.72%) in pooled data. However, variety did not manifest its significant effect on different growth parameters viz., leaf area at 45 and 90 DAS, fresh as well as dry weight of plant expect 90 DAS, yield parameters viz., days to first picking, pod girth, pod weight and quality parameter moisture content of okra pod. Foliar application of Fe and Zn had significant effect on growth, yield and quality parameters. Maximum leaf area (497.03, 547.00 and 804.27 cm²) at 45, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively, fresh weight of plant (169.62, 265.25 and 357.58 g) and dry weight of plant (19.73, 29.33 and 41.98 g) at 45, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively in pooled data and pod length (13.63 cm), pod girth (65.72 mm), pod weight (14.43 g), yield (14.64 t/ha), fiber content (2.62%), chlorophyll content (0.504 mg/100 g), phenol content (0.119%) and minimum leaf membrane injury (26.92%) were observed with treatment M_6, respectively in pooled data. While, foliar application of Zn and Fe did not show it significant effect on days to first picking and moisture content of okra pod. Interaction effect of varieties and foliar application of Zn and Fe with respect to yield and quality parameters like maximum pod length (13.75 cm) and chlorophyll content of pod (0.509 mg/100 g) was recorded with combination V₁M₆ in pooled analysis.