EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF KHARIF SEASON OKRA (ABELMOCHUS ESCULANTUS (L) MOENCH)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, JNKVV, Jabalpur during Kharif season of 2005 and 2006 to assess the effects of vermicompost on the performance uder different fertility levels on okra. Trial consisted of sixteen treatments combinations of four does of vermicompost (V01 : without vermicompost, V1: 3, V2 :4 and V3 : 5 t ha-1 ) and four levels of fertility (F0 : without fertilizer, F1: 40:30:30, F2: 60:45:45 and F3: 80:60:60 kg NPK ha-1 ). It may be published after incorporating corrections. Study revealed the highest plant height (97.7cm), nodes per plant(14), fruit diameter(5.7cm) and fruit yield (73.8q/ha) as well as the protein content (18.5%) was recorded with fertility level of 80:60:60 kg NPK/ ha. This treatment also fetched net return of Rs. 46152 ha-1 and gave benefit cost ration of 2.68. incorporation of vermicompost 5 t ha- 1 also recorded significantly higher values of yield attributes, fruit yield (69.2/ha) and protein content(18.0%) as well as B:C ratio (2.11)with net return of Rs. 35614 ha-1 . Application of vermicompost 5 t ha-1 proved equally good to recommended dose of fertilizes i.e. 80:60:60 kg NPK ha-1 .