Growth and yield performance of red Okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) applied with different organic commercial foliar fertilizer

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effect of different foliar fertilizers on the growth and yield performance of red okra and specifically, the study aimed to determine the response of red okra in terms of: plant height (cm), number of fruits, length (cm) of fruits, weight (g) of fruits per plant; the yield in (kg) per hectare and return on investment. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used in the study with four treatments and replicated four (4) times. The experimental treatments were as follows: T₁ (control); T₂ (Golden crop multi-NPK 12-2-44); T₃ (Malago solid foliar fertilizer); and T₄ (Yield master-crop growth enhancer 15-15-30+ME master). The result of the study did not show significant differences in plant height, but significantly different in terms of number of fruit, length of fruit, yield per hectare weight of fruits and yield per hectare sprayed with different foliar fertilizers was observed. Results of the study on plants sprayed with Foliar 3 (15-15-30+ME) T4 produces the longest average length (cm), heaviest weight (g) of fruits, and highest in yield per hectare and with the highest return on investment of 168.73%. The result of the study, on the application of foliar fertilizer Yield master-crop growth enhancer 15-15-30+ME to red okra is recommended to farmers within the locality. However, similar study using other vegetable crops should be conducted for more reliable and conclusive results.