@article{MAKHILLAJ20072520197,
    title = {Effect of Tillage Systems and Different Fertilizer Rates on Growth Parameters and Fruit Yield of Okra (Abelimoscus Esculentus)},
    journal = {Agricultural Journal},
    volume = {2},
    number = {5},
    pages = {596-601},
    year = {2007},
    issn = {1816-9155},
    doi = {aj.2007.596.601},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1816-9155&doi=aj.2007.596.601},
    author = {S.O. Afolayan,O.A. Oladapo,O.A. Akintola and},
    keywords = {Tillage,fertilizer sources,fertilizer rates,fruit yield,plant height,growth parameters,Nigeria},
    abstract = {The interactions between tillage techniques and fertilization play a major role in determining the sustainability of production of okra. Fields experimental were studied in 2004 and 2005 respectively to determine the effect of tillage methods and fertilizer application on crop growth and fruit yield of okra. Three different tillage methods: Ridging (R) Harrowing (H) and Bedding (B) in combination with three fertilizer sources: Control- no fertilizer-S<SUB>1,</SUB> NPK (20-10-10) -S<SUB>2</SUB> , Urea (45,0,0)-S<SUB>3</SUB> and 0rgano-mineral (2.25, 0.89, 2.01)-S<SUB>4 </SUB>were considered for the first year. The second year experiment retained the tillage systems but adopted the best fertilizer source of the first year at four different rates 0 kg ha <SUP>1</SUP> (F<SUB>1</SUB>), 200 kg ha <SUP>1</SUP> (F<SUB>2</SUB>), 300 kg ha <SUP>1</SUP> (F<SUB>3</SUB>) and 400 kg ha <SUP>1</SUP> (F<SUB>4</SUB>). Soil properties were conducted before and after the experiments. Growth indices such as Number of Leaves (NL), Plant Height (PHT), Stem Diameter (SD) and Leaf Area (LA) were measured. Results obtained revealed that there were  no  significant  differences  (p< 0.05)  in  bulk  density (R = 1.29 gm cm <SUP>3</SUP>, p = 1.40 gmkm<SUP>3</SUP>, H = 1.44 g km<SUP>3</SUP>, B = 1.45 gm cm <SUP>3</SUP>) conducted after the first season. However, cone penetration resistances were greatly influenced by tillage methods (p = 0.065 kg s <SUP>1</SUP>, R = 0.93 kg s <SUP>1</SUP>, H = 0.93 kg s <SUP>1</SUP>, B = 0.95 kg s <SUP>1</SUP>). There were significant differences in all the crop growth and fruit yields of the two seasons. In the first year, S<SUB>4</SUB> fertilizer source in combination with R had the best mean leaf area followed by S<SUB>2</SUB> fertilizer source in combination with H. S<SUB>1</SUB>R, S<SUB>2</SUB>R and S<SUB>4</SUB>R appeared most stunted in growth <SUB>at</SUB> p< 0.05. Generally, S<SUB>3  </SUB>fertilizer source combined with H tillage method (S<SUB>3</SUB>H) recorded the highest mean yield at 2.4/ha followed by S<SUB>2</SUB>H at 2.3t ha <SUP>1</SUP>. The second year experiment recorded significant differences (p< 0.05) among the treatments in growth and fruit yield. F<SUB>3</SUB>P produced the highest mean PHT (744.33 mm), F<SUB>2</SUB>B had the best NL and F<SUB>3</SUB>B producing best robust plants in terms of SD, F<SUB>1</SUB>B appeared to be the treatment with the most luxuriant canopies respect to LA and F<SUB>2</SUB>P having the highest mean yield at 5.53t ha <SUP>1</SUP>. Overall result showed that 200kg ha <SUP>1</SUP> of NPK fertilizer in combination with ploughing (F<SUB>2</SUB>Pi) was suggested as the best treatment option for the sustainable cultivation of okra.}
    }