Varietal Responses of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) to Different Animal Based Organic Manures in Obio Akpa, South Eastern Nigeria

Field experiment was conducted at Teaching and Research farm of Akwa Ibom State University to evaluate varietal responses of okra to varying animal based organic manures in Obio Akpa in April 2023. The factorial experiment (3×6) was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Okra varieties (3) were Yeleen (V1), Ikono 1 (V2) and Lady's finger (V3) whereas animal based organic manures (5) were Cow dung, Poultry manure, Pig manure, Goat manure, Rabbit manure and control. Data were collected on growth, yield parameters for analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means compared with least significant difference (P>0.05) at 5% probability. Result showed significant differences (P<0.05) on plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, stem girth on the animal based organic manure at 2, 4, 6, 8 WAP and varieties at 4, 6, 8 WAP. The yield components indicated significant differences (P<0.05) on animal based organic manure and selectively on varieties. There was no significant difference on interaction on plant height, stem girth, whereas the leaf area and number of leaves showed significant differences (P<0.05) at 6, 8 WAP. Poultry manure and V3, showed higher values of plant height, leaf area, number of leaves and stem girth at 2, 4, 6, 8 WAP. The least value on variety was obtained with V2 on stem girth, number of leaves and V1 on leaf area, plant height at 4, 6, 8 WAP. For animal based organic manure, Pig manure produced least values on stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area and plant height. V3 produced higher values of yield components and number of days to 50% flowering, whereas Poultry manure produced higher fruit number (18.60), fruit circumference (6.18cm), fruit diameter (4.88cm), fruit length (8.76cm), Cow dung produced high fruit yield (4.98t/ha). The least number of fruits (14.75), length of fruit (8.30) and yield (3.60t/ha) were obtained from pig manure. The study therefore recommends V3 (Lady's finger) with the application of poultry manures for good yield and growth of okra in Obio Akpa.