Effect of probiotics 'Bio-health' and foliar fertilization with zinc sulfate on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

The experiment was conducted in a private field in Jaflawiya, Al-Mishkhab District, Najaf Governorate, for the spring season 2021, to study the effect of soil application with probiotics Bio health and foliar fertilization with aqueous zinc sulfate on some vegetative growth characteristics and yield of okra Husainawia variety. The experiment was a factorial experiment according to Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D.) with 2 factors and 3 replicates. The first factor was ground application with probiotics Bio health at 3 levels (0, 2500, 5000 g ha-1) and the second factor is the foliar spraying of zinc in (ZnSO4.7H20) using 3 concentrations (0, 75 and 150 mg L-1). Both factors were applied 3 times during the growing season. The first application was in the stage of 4 true leaves and zinc was sprayed a week later. The second and third were 30 and 60 days after the first addition respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and the averages were compared using the least significant difference test. Least Significant Difference Test (L.S.D.) at 0.05 probability level. The highest results were recorded in the treatment of adding the Bio health at a level of 5000 g ha-1, which led to the highest rates of vegetative growth indicators, quantitative and qualitative yield and chemical indicators, including plant height, leaf area, knot ratio, number of pods, total yield, nitrogen and phosphorous ratio in pods, zinc content in pods and protein % in pods. In general, the ground application of Bio health at 5000 g ha-1 with zinc 150 mg L-1 significantly outperformed most of the single and interaction treatments. It gave the highest significant increase in vegetative growth indicators, yield, chemical and qualitative indicators.