EFFECT OF REDUCED CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS COMBINED WITH KAZI JOIBO SAR ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the Soil Science research field, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur during the Kharif season (May to September, 2023). The study was done to examine the effect of reduced chemical fertilizers combined with Kazi Joibo Sar on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). The experiment was laid out in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. Six treatments were: T1 = Control (No fertilizer no manure), T2 = 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer, T3 = 75% RDF + 1.0 t ha-1 Kazi Joibo Sar, T4 = 50% RDF + 2.5 t ha-1 Kazi Joibo Sar, T5 = 25% RDF + 5.0 t ha-1 Kazi Joibo Sar, T6 = 7.5 t ha-1 Kazi Joibo Sar. The fertilizers were supplied according to the treatment in individual plots. The yield contributing characteristics like plant height, fruit weight plot-1, number of fruits plant-1, individual fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm), root length (cm), fresh shoot biomass plant-1 (g), dry shoot biomass plant-1 (g) was significantly influenced due to different treatments used in this study. The T2 treatment (100% RDF) produced the maximum fruit weight plot-1 (1.52 kg) which was followed by T3 (1.49 kg) where 75% RDF + 1.0 t ha-1 Kazi Joibo Sar were applied. The result of post-harvest soil properties revealed that combined application of chemical fertilizers and Kazi Joibo Sar significantly increased the total N, available P, exchangeable K, available S, and organic carbon, organic matter in the soil when compared with the control or sole application of chemical fertilizers. The treatment T6 (7.5 t ha-1 Kazi Joibo Sar) showed superior in respect of post-harvest PD, OC, and NPKS content. The overall results suggested that application of 100% RDF or 75% RDF + 1.0 t ha-1 Kazi Joibo Sar would be suitable for profitable okra cultivation in summer season.