EFFECTS OF CATTLE MANURE APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND MARKETABLE YIELD OF TRADITIONAL OKRA (CORCHORUS OLITORIUS L.) IN SWAZILAND

M.T. Masarirambi, M. Nkomo, T.O. Oseni, P.K. Wahome
Okra (Corchorus olitorius L.) is an important vegetable among rural communities in Swaziland, but little work has been done on increasing its production using locally available natural fertilizers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cattle manure application rates on growth and yield of okra. Cattle manure was applied at 20, 40 and 60 t/ha in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), while the synthetic fertilizer 2:3:2 (22) was applied at 150 kg/ha as a control. Sixty tons/ha of cattle manure produced significantly (P<0.05) higher plant growth followed in decreasing order by 40 and 20 t/ha and lastly by the synthetic fertilizer. There was a significant (P<0.05) difference in plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index and root length. Sixty t/ha of cattle manure produced significantly (P<0.05) higher yields of fresh and dry mass followed in decreasing order by 40 and 20 t/ha and lastly by the synthetic fertilizer.
Masarirambi, M.T., Nkomo, M., Oseni, T.O. and Wahome, P.K. (2013). EFFECTS OF CATTLE MANURE APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND MARKETABLE YIELD OF TRADITIONAL OKRA (CORCHORUS OLITORIUS L.) IN SWAZILAND. Acta Hortic. 1007, 339-346
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1007.37
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1007.37
organic farming, cattle manure, growth parameters, yield
English

Acta Horticulturae