Evaluation of the pod yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) varieties cultivated on mulching materials in northwestern Ethiopia

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a versatile warm-season vegetable cultivated year-round in Ethiopia. Moreover, the demand of okra pod is very high however; its yield and quality is hindered by limited adoption of improved varieties and soil moisture stress. To address these issues, a dry season experiment was conducted at Gorgora Horticultural Research Site, University of Gondar, Ethiopia from February to May 2023 to assess the pod yield and quality of okra varieties on different mulching materials. The study involved three okra varieties (Beles, Qenqes, and Wayka) and three mulching materials (rice straw, sawdust, and water hyacinth), plus a control, in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Statistical analysis was employed using SAS software version 9.4 and significance were determined using least significant difference tests at a 5% probability level. The results revealed both varieties and mulches had significant influence on yield and quality of okra pod. Variety Wayka cultivated with water hyacinth or rice straw mulch showed more number of pod harvests; on the other hand Qenqes cultivated with water hyacinth had greater (22.21 g/100 g) fiber content. Variety Qenqes recorded early (52.43 days) pod setting with maximum (32.31 g) pod weight, (15.28 cm) pod length, (2.54 cm) pod diameter, (9.85%) total ash and minimum (89.80%) moisture content, whereas Wayka had the greatest pod yield (13.40 t/ha). In case of mulching materials, water hyacinth mulch achieved maximum pod weight and pod length, in addition to this it improved early pod setting, pod diameter and pod yield at par with rice straw mulch. This study tentatively suggested the use of variety Qenqes for early quality pods and variety Wayka for more pod yields production. Moreover, water hyacinth or rice straw mulches improved earliness, pod yield and quality. For the future, it is better to repeate the study in different location and season with incorporation of other varieties.