Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Vol. 58, No. 3, 2013

Pages 159-166
DOI: 10.2298/JAS1303159U
UDC: 635.65-181
Original scientific paper




RELATIVE EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON
THE GROWTH OF OKRA [ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH]

Ufere N. Uka
1*
, Kanayo S. Chukwuka
2,3
and Mary Iwuagwu
3


1
Department of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
2
Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
3
Department of Plant and Biotechnology, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria

Abstract: A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the relative effect
of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth of okra (Abelmoschus
esculentus). The experiment consisted of four treatments. Cow dung and poultry
droppings were applied at the rates of 2.5 kg per 10 kg of soil one week before
sowing, while NPK fertilizer (15:15:15) was applied at the rate of 6 g per 10 kg of
soil three weeks after sowing. The treatments were laid in a completely randomized
design with three replications. Plant growth was assessed using plant height, fresh
weight, leaf area and dry weight. The application of cow dung, poultry droppings
and NPK fertilizer had significant effects on all the parameters assessed. The
application of poultry droppings gave plants with the greatest plant height, leaf area
and fresh weight, while cow dung application gave the greatest dry weight. The
data obtained from these treatments were significantly higher than the data
obtained from the control. It was, therefore, concluded that the use of organic
manure in the production of vegetables like okra should be encouraged.
Key words: Abelmoschus esculentus, poultry droppings, cow dung, NPK
fertilizer, relative effect.

Introduction

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, is a vegetable crop grown both in
tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Ahmed et al., 2006). In the Middle
East it is known as bamia, bamya or bamieh and gumbo in the Southern USA, and
ladys finger in England. It is an erect herbaceous annual crop species that belongs
to the family Malvaceae and is principally used in the preparation of soup in
Nigeria (Tindall, 1986). According to Awodoyin and Olubode (2009), the
immature fruits and leaves of Abelmoschus esculentus are used in soup as a
thickener because it is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Okra is
recommended for consumption by World Health Organization due to its ability to

*
Corresponding author: e-mail: ufereh@gmail.com
Ufere N. Uka et al. 160
fight diseases. Okra has been found to be a rich source of vitamins A and C,
calcium, thiamine and riboflavin. It is also rich in iron and is used as a medicine in
the treatment of the peptic ulcer.
The application of inorganic fertilizers results in yield increase of this crop.
Unfortunately, inorganic fertilizers reduce the quality of arable lands. The
Economic Commission for Africa (2001) reported that tropical soils are adversely
affected by suboptimal soil fertility and erosion, causing a deterioration of the
nutrient status and changes in soil organism populations. Akanbi et al. (2010)
asserted that inorganic fertilizers can improve crop yields and soil pH, total nutrient
content, and nutrient availability, but their use is limited due to scarcity, high cost,
nutrient imbalance and soil acidity. Hence the need to look for alternative ways of
improving this crop plant. This study will enrich the literature on fertilizers
concerning the production of okra. Therefore, the objective of this study is to
examine the effect of inorganic and organic fertilizers on the growth of okra.

Material and Methods

The experiment was carried out at the greenhouse of Abia State University,
Uturu located at latitude 76N and longitude 6E. Okra seeds used in the
experiment were obtained from the National Seed Centre, South East field,
Umudike-Nigeria. The study was carried out between 30 May 2012 and 30 August
2012 in the screen house in experimental pots.
The experiment was conducted using 15-litre plastic pots containing 10 kg of
soil. The pots were perforated at the base to allow excess water to drain out. It was
arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Cow dung and
poultry droppings were applied at the rates of 2.5 kg per 10 kg of soil one week
before sowing, while NPK fertilizer (15:15:15) was applied at the rate of 6 g per 10
kg of soil three weeks after sowing. The samples that were left without treatment
served as the control. Ten viable seeds of okra were planted at an average depth of
23 cm in each of the plastic buckets. The plants were later thinned to one stand
per bucket, two weeks after germination.
A week after planting, data on plant height, fresh weight, leaf area and dry
weight were taken to assess plant growth. Thereafter, harvesting was done
fortnightly until the 12
th
week of plant age. Data were subjected to analysis of
variance using SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Means were
separated using Fishers least significance difference (P0.05).

Results and Discussion

The application of cow dung, poultry droppings, and NPK fertilizer had a
significant effect on the performance of Abelmoschus esculentus (P<0.05). At week
10 after sowing, the application of poultry droppings produced the greatest plant
Relative effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the growth of okra 161
height (67.8 cm) followed by cow dung (61.9 cm), and NPK fertilizer (55.87 cm),
while the lowest plant height was obtained from the control (47 cm) (Figure 1).
Within the weeks, as regards the treatments significant differences in plant height
were observed between week 2 and week 6.


Figure 1. Effects of NPK fertilizer, cow dung and poultry droppings on the height
of Abelmoschus esculentus. Bars indicate standard errors.

The largest leaf area (252.3 cm
2
) was produced by the application of poultry
droppings. This is followed by cow dung application (235.8 cm
2
), and NPK
application (193.9 cm
2
), while the least leaf area (118.5 cm
2
) was produced in the
control (Figure 2). Within the weeks, there was no significant difference between
the treatments. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the treatments in
weeks 2 and 5. In week 3, there was no significant difference between cow dung
and poultry droppings. There was no significant difference in week 6 between NPK
fertilizer and cow dung. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between
poultry dropping treated soil and cow dung treated soil in week 5.



Figure 2. Effects of NPK fertilizer, cow dung and poultry droppings on the leaf
area of Abelmoschus esculentus. Bars indicate standard errors.
Ufere N. Uka et al. 162
Fresh plant weight was significantly affected by the application of the
treatments (Figure 3). It ranged from 67.13 g in poultry dropping treated soil to
28.77 g in the control. Within the weeks, there was no significant difference among
the treatments in weeks 1 and 2. Also within weeks 3 and 4, there was no
significant difference between NPK treated soil and the control. Likewise,
significant differences did not exist within week 3 and week 6 between poultry
dropping treated soil and the control and within week 3 and 4 between poultry
dropping treated soil and NPK treated soil. Differences in the fresh weight of okra
were also not significant between NPK and cow dung treated soils in week 4.
Similarly, in weeks 5 and 6, significant differences between treatments with NPK
fertilizer and cow dung were not found.


Figure 3. Effects of NPK fertilizer, cow dung and poultry droppings on the fresh
weight of Abelmoschus esculentus. Bars indicate standard errors.

Dry plant weight ranged among the treatments as follows: 0.399.16 g in cow
dung, 0.398.43 g in poultry droppings, 0.627.55 g in the control, and
0.576.13 g in NPK treatment (Figure 4). However, these differences were
significant (P<0.05). In weeks 1 and 3, there was no significant difference among
the treatments (P>0.05). Similarly, in week 2, there was no significant difference
between poultry droppings and NPK fertilizer. There was also no significant
difference between the control and NPK fertilizer in weeks 3 and 4. Likewise, in
week 4, there was no significant difference between poultry dropping treated soil
and the control. Significant differences did not exist between cow dung treated soil
and NPK treated soil in weeks 3 and 6. In week 5, there was no significant
difference between poultry dropping treated soil and the control. Dry plant weight
of okra was not significantly different between cow dung and poultry dropping
treated soil in weeks 4 and 6.
Relative effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the growth of okra 163
The Abelmoschus esculentus plant grown on NPK fertilizer, cow dung and
poultry dropping treated soils responded differently regarding plant height. Poultry
dropping treated soil gave the greatest mean plant height, while the control had the
lowest plant height. This result is in agreement with previous reports (Agboola and
Obigbesan, 1975; Agboola and Omueti, 1982; Agboola and Fagbenro, 1985;
Okwuagwu et al., 2003). Tiamiyi et al. (2012) reported that plant height of okra
was greater in poultry dropping treated soil. They attributed it to the ready
availability of nutrients for the easy absorption by plant root, thus resulting in an
increase in plant growth. Ajari et al. (2003) asserted that poultry dropping treated
soil could increase plant height when compared with other sources of manure.
Comparatively high nitrogen content of poultry manure buttresses the vegetative
growth of crops. Seyedbagheri (1999) reported a positive effect of organic fertilizer
on vegetative growth. The plants treated with NPK fertilizer grew fastest in the first
three weeks. The plants treated with organic fertilizer grew higher from the sixth
week up to the end of the experiment in week 10. This is consistent with the report
of Adewole and Ilesanmi (2012) in which it was demonstrated that inorganic
fertilizers like NPK worsen soil degradation resulting from loss of inorganic matter
which leads to higher acidity, nutrient imbalance and low crop yield. On the other
hand, organic manures promote microbial degradation and the gradual release of
nutrients over time.


Figure 4. Effects of NPK fertilizer, cow dung and poultry droppings on the dry
weight of Abelmoschus esculentus. Bars indicate standard errors.

Leaf area was the greatest in the treatments with fertilizers and the lowest in
the control. Increased leaf area implies higher light interception and dry matter
product which invariably promotes plant growth (Ofosu-Anim and Leitech, 2009).
An enhanced production of dry matter resulting from high nutrient level increased
Ufere N. Uka et al. 164
the development of plant parameters (Katung et al., 1996). Nutrient availability in
the correct proportion leads to increased photosynthetic activity, thus an increase in
light interception, dry matter production, accumulation and partitioning (Robert
and Walker, 1989; Smith et al., 1992; Hartz et al., 1996).

Conclusion

The study revealed that both mineral (NPK) and the organic manure (cow
dung and poultry droppings) improved the growth performance of Abelmoschus
esulentus seedlings, but to varying degrees. Organic fertilizers were better than the
NPK mineral fertilizer. The treatment with poultry droppings was found to be the
best, and the treatment with cow dung was better than the NPK treatment. Hence,
the use of organic manure in the production of vegetables like okra should be
encouraged.

References

Adewole, M.B., Ilesanmi, A.O. (2012): Effects of different soil amendments on the growth and yield
of okra in a tropical rainforest of Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Sciences
(Belgrade) 57(3):143-153.
Agboola, A.A., Fagbenro, J.A. (1985): Soil organic matter and its management in the humid tropics
with particular reference to Nigeria. Proceedings ISSS organized by Society of Soil Science of
Nigeria, 2126 July, Ibadan, pp. 215-283.
Agboola, A.A., Obigbesan, G.O., Fayemi, A.A.A. (1975): Interrelations between organic and mineral
fertilizer in the tropical rainforest of Western Nigeria. In: Organic materials as fertilizers. FAO
Soil Bulletin No. 27, pp. 337-351.
Agboola, A.A., Omueti, J.A.I. (1982): Soil fertility problems and its management in tropical Africa.
Proceedings of International conference on land clearing and development, IITA, Ibadan,
Nigeria, pp. 350-365.
Ahmed, B.I., Abdulhameed, A., Yusuf, S.R., Aliyu, M. (2006): Comparative study of the defoliatory
activities of Podagrica sjotedti and P. uniforma (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on two
intercropped okra varieties in Bauchi State Nigeria Savannah. Journal of Agriculture
1(1):12-14.
Ajari, O., Tsado, L.E.K., Oladiran, J.A., Salako, E.A. (2003): Plant height and fruit yield of okra as
affected by field application of fertilizer and organic matter in Bida, Nigeria. The Nigerian
Agricultural Journal 34:74-80.
Akanbi, W.B., Togun, A.O., Adediran, J.A., Ilupeju, E.A.O. (2010): Growth, dry matter and fruit
yields components of okra under organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. American-Eurasian
Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 4(1):1-13.
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okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] field in Ibadan, a rainforest-savanna transition eco-
zone of Nigeria. Asian Journal of Food and Agro-Industry(special issue):S288-S296.
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Relative effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the growth of okra 165
Katung, M.D., Olanrewaju, J.D., Gupta, U.S., Kureh, I. (1996): Fruit and seed yields of okra as
influenced by farm yard manure and nitrogen fertilizer. In: Proceedings of 14th HORTSON
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Received: November 1, 2013
Accepted: November 26, 2013



















Ufere N. Uka et al. 166
RELATIVNI UTICAJ ORGANSKOG I NEORGANSKOG UBRIVA NA RAST
BAMIJE [ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH]

Ufere N. Uka
1*
, Kanayo S. Chukwuka
2,3
i Mary Iwuagwu
3


1
Odsek za primenjenu biologiju, Univerzitet drave Eboni, Abakaliki, Nigerija
2
Odsek za botaniku, Univerzitet u Ibadanu, Ibadan, Nigerija
3
Odsek za biljke i biotehnologiju, Univerzitet drave Abia, Uturu, Nigerija

R e z i m e

Ogled je sproveden u stakleniku kako bi se prouio relativni uticaj organskog i
neorganskog ubriva na rast bamije (Abelmoschus esculentus). Ogled se sastojao
od etiri tretmana. Govei stajnjak i ivinsko ubrivo su primenjeni u koliinama
od 2,5 kg na 10 kg zemljita nedelju dana pre setve, dok je NPK ubrivo
(15:15:15) primenjeno u koliini od 6 g na 10 kg zemljita tri nedelje posle setve.
Ogled je izveden po metodu potpuno sluajnog blok sistema u tri ponavljanja. Rast
biljaka je ocenjivan uzimajui u obzir visinu biljke, sveu masu, lisnu povrinu i
suvu masu. Primena goveeg stajnjaka, ivinskog ubriva i NPK ubriva je
znaajno uticala na sve parametre koji su ocenjivani. Primena ivinskog ubriva je
dala biljke sa najveom visinom, lisnom povrinom i sveom masom, dok je
primena goveeg stajnjaka dala biljke sa najveom suvom masom. Podaci dobijeni
primenom ovih tretmana su bili znaajno vii nego podaci dobijeni kod kontrolnog
tretmana. Na osnovu toga zakljueno je da treba ohrabrivati upotrebu organskog
ubriva u proizvodnji povra kao to je bamija.
Kljune rei: Abelmoschus esculentus, ivinsko ubrivo, govei stajnjak,
NPK ubrivo, relativni uticaj.




Primljeno: 1. novembra 2013.
Odobreno: 26. novembra 2013.










*
Autor za kontakt: e-mail: ufereh@gmail.com