Dr IMPACT OF VARIOUS ORGANIC AND CULTURAL PRACTICES ON YIELD AND WEED MANAGEMENT IN OKRA (Abelmoschus esculanta L.)

Abstract

Weed management in okra field is one of the most challenging and expensive steps that ultimately reducing the productivity. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate impact of various organic and cultural practices on yield and weed management in okra crop at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during spring season 2021 in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having three replications. The following treatments were applied to the experimental trail. T1=Parthenium Parthenium hysterophorus) weed extraction (120g/L), T2= Coco grass (Cyperus rotundus) weed extraction (120g/L), T3= Field bind weed (Convolvulus arvensis) weed extraction (120g/L), T4= Mulching (Eucalyptus leaves), T5= Mulching (News Paper), T6= Hand weeding (Once) 20 days, T7= Hand weeding (Twice) 20 &40 days, T8= Weedy check. Results shows that all the studied parameters of okra crop were significantly affected by all the applied treatments except number of flowers plant^-1. Maximum weed fresh biomass (143.3g), weed dry biomass (42.2g), plant height (64.2cm), number of branches plant^-1, (11), fruit length (11.73 cm), fruit diameter (1.8 cm) and yield (3246.6kg/ha) were noted in a Hand weeding (Twice) 20- & 40-days treatment followed by Hand weeding (Once) after 20 days, however the minimum values was noted in weedy check treatment except weed density which was found maximum in weedy check treatment. Hand weeding twice after 20 & 40 days of crop sowing was recommended to get in okra crop better yield.