Evaluation of Morphological Growth Response of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) to Simple Organic Supplements

Abstract

Soil health and nutrient availability are important for sustaining crop productivity and increasing yield. Farmers have practiced fortifying
soil using various supplements (organic and inorganic, natural and synthetic) since the advent of modern agriculture. However, adding
inorganic fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides has adversely affected our agroecosystems. Harmful chemicals from synthetic fertilizers
get accumulated in soil and plant parts, causing serious health problems. The synthetic agri-products have detrimental effects on
soil fertility and soil microbiota, making the soil less fertile and unsuitable for cultivation. In the last decade, a paradigm shift in agripractices
has occurred and organic farming has become a popular sustainable option to improve soil health and achieve sustainable
development goals.
The potential of various organic supplements has been studied in the present investigation on the growth parameters of an important
vegetable crop okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) valued for its multipurpose uses in various parts of the country. Pure line seeds of okra
variety Arka Anamika were surface sterilized and used for the study. Plants were raised in plastic pots (10 inches) filled with soil treated
with leaf compost, foliar spray (Gibberellic acid, 0.001%) and pine bark mulch. Garden soil without organic supplements served as
a control. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications. An increase in the vegetative
growth parameters and in reproductive parameters in all the treatments as compared to control was observed in the plants. Though all
treatments showed an increase in growth parameters, a significant increase was observed with mulch, suggesting that the mulch derived
from organic waste and residues have immense potential in improving crop health by making them more robust, and enhancing the
yield. Investigating the amelioration of soil physico-chemical properties with these organic supplements and understanding their role in
better crop performance is beneficial for the farmers. The present study also provides simple, sustainable, and eco-friendly biofertilizer
potential of self-prepared pine bark mulch for vegetable crops.