Effect of a novel organic liquid fertilizer on the growth of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra)
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Date
2024
Journal Title
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Volume Title
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Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka
Abstract
Inorganic fertilizers are widely used to provide nutrients to crops, but their excessive use adversely impacts both the ecosystem and human health. This research aims to produce a novel liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) using easily available ingredients and evaluate its effectiveness for the growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra). The entire plant of Mimosa pigra (Giant sensitive tree) (fresh weight - 10 kg) was used along with Musa sp. (Banana) peels (fresh weight - 2 kg), powdered Eppawala rock phosphate (1 kg) and latex of Carica papaya (Papaya) (500.0 mL). A stock solution was prepared by mixing these ingredients with 20 L of well water and the mixture was allowed for aerobic digestion for six weeks. Then different concentrations of LOF were prepared from the stock solution at 5% (T1), 10% (T2), 15% (T3) and, 20% (T4). These prepared LOF were separately tested on the growth and yield of A. esculentus with well water as the control and commercially available LOF (Maxi crop) as standard under field conditions. Data collection started three weeks after applying the fertilizer and continued up to the ninth week. Fertilizer was applied weekly as the foliar application. The following parameters were measured: plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem circumference, time for the first flowering, number of flowers, time for first fruit formation, number of fruits per plant, total fruit weight per plant, circumference of the fruits and length of fruits. The data were analysed by one-way ANOVA. The mean values of plant height (25.7 ± 4.6 cm), number of leaves (23.0 ± 3.2), leaf area (120.0 ± 56.0 cm2), number of flowers (7 ± 2.51), number of fruits per plant (4 ± 1.9), total fruit weight (125.6 ± 51.3 g), length of the fruit (20.7 ± 1.6 cm), number of filled seeds per fruit (286.2 ± 183.7) and circumference of the fruits (4.5 ± 3.1 cm) of A. esculentus plants that treated with 10% concentration of LOF was significantly higher than those of the control as well as the commercial LOF. Early flowering (40.8 ± 1.5 days) was observed in the plants of T2 compared to the standard (53.0 ± 14.1 days) and the control (65.0 ± 1.4 days). It also shows the same pattern for the time taken for first fruit formation (T2; 50.8 ± 1.5 days, standard; 63.0 ± 14.1 days, control; 76.5 ± 0.7 days). The T2 treatment which has a 10% concentration, has shown a significant positive impact on the increase of the growth and yield of A. esculentus compared to the standard and control. Hence, the study recommends using a10% concentration of the synthesized LOF to enhance the growth and yield of okra.
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Keywords
Abelmoschus esculentus, Growth performance, Mimosa pigra, Musa sp., Organic liquid fertilizer
Citation
Prabath S. A. D. M.; Ratnayake R. M. C. S.; Wimalasekara R. (2024), Effect of a novel organic liquid fertilizer on the growth of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2024-Kelaniya) Volume 4, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka. Page 185