EFFECTS OF GALEX(R) ON GROWTH AND FRUIT NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH)

Abstract

The fruit yield and nutrient composition of Okra, Abelmoschus osculentus (L.) Moench, Variety NHAe 47- 4, at four levels of Galex treatment, (Preemergence herbicide) and two controls of the herbicide was made using CP 15 knapsack sprayer.

Emergence count of Okra seeds at five days after planting (DAP) was not affected by Galex treatments. At 15 DAP, plants under the two controls and 1.5kgai/ha were normal and healthy while those under 2.0kgai/ha suffered severe phytotoxicity and those under 2.5kgai/ha and 3.0kgai/ha were completely killed. Plants height, flower number and fruit number were significantly affected by Galex treatments. The fresh fruit yield at 1.5kgai/ha and two weedings at 3 and 6 weeks after plantings (WAP) were not statistically different.

The untreated control had the statistically significant lowest yield. Application of 1.5kgai/ha led to significant increases in calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) contents of Okra fruits while the nitrogen (N) content of the untreated control was significantly lower than for two weedings at 3 and 6 WAP and 1.5kgai/ha. The phosphorus (P) and Iron (Fe) contents were not significantly affected by the treatments.