Idris A. I , Tekwa, I. J. and Omar, G

Keywords: Mulching material, application rates, Performance, Okra

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in 2015 rainy season to assess the effect of different mulching materials on Okra’s performance at the Students’ Demonstration Farm of Federal Polytechnic Mubi. The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of different mulching materials on the growth and yield of okra. The experimental area was prepared and treatment plots were marked out at 2 × 2 m sizes at an alley of 0.5 m apart on a 9.5 m area. Treatments consisted of 3 types of mulching materials (Sawdust, Rice straw and dry grass mulches) at the rates of 0, 5 and 10 t/ha each and were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated 3 times. Data were collected on germination and seedling establishment counts, plant heights, the number of leaves, days to 50% flowering, days to 50% podding and number of pods per plant. Analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Results indicated that plots treated with 10 t/ha of SDM, RSM and GDM had higher seed germination by 87.50%, 70.81% and 79.20%, respectively. Growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves and stem girths significantly (P≤0.05) increased with increasing mulching rates at 2, 4 and 6-WAS. The effects of SDM, RSM and DGM on days to 50% Okra flowering was 46.67, 49.00 and 48.33 respectively, and was 50.67, 52.33 and 51.00 on days to 50% podding. The number of pods produced per Okra plant significantly (P≤0.05) increased by 10 t/ha application over the control. The 10 t/ha application was the most suitable and implementable rate for growth and yield of Okra in Mubi environment.