Evaluation of different varieties of Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L. ) under the climatic conditions of Tandojam

Evaluation of varieties of under the climatic of Abstract In order to evaluate the okra varieties under climatic conditions of Tandojam, the present experiment was conducted during 2015. The okra varieties included Sabz Pari, Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika. The observations were recorded on plant height (cm), branches plant -1 , pods plant -1 , single pod weight (g), weight of pods plant -1 , pods length (cm) and pod yield (kg ha -1 ). The summary of the results are presented that all the studied indices were remarkably higher in variety ‘Sabz Pari’ having plant height (87.47 cm), branches plant -1 (5.66 plant -1 ), pods plant -1 (28.37 plant -1 ), single pod weight (15.15 g), weight of pods plant -1 (252.67 plant -1 ), pods length (6.37 cm) and pod yield (12733 kg ha -1 ). Apart from the most superior performance of variety Sabz Pari, Punjab Selection, Anmol and Sharmeeli, also showed good average performance, but least values for all the studied traits were determined for variety ‘Anamika. Statistical analysis indicates significant difference (P<0.05) for all studied parameters among the okra varieties. In conclusion, the variety Sabz Pari produced highest pod yield followed by variety ‘Punjab Selection’ ‘Anmol’ and ‘Sharmeeli’, while least figure for pod yield was examined in okra variety ‘Anamika.


Introduction
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) also known as lady's finger, Bhindi belonging to the family Malvaceae with somatic chromosome number 2n=130. It is basically self-pollinated crop, though essentially selfpollinated because of its showy corolla, the possibility of cross-pollination by insects cannot be ruled out. Consequently, cross pollination to the extent of 4.0-19.0 per cent with maximum of 42.2 per cent is noticed with the insect assisted pollination. Okra is an important vegetable crop, it is widely distributed and cultivated in tropics and subtropics of the world for its tender, delicious green fruits which are cooked, canned and consumed in various forms [1]. The crop is suitable for cultivation as a garden crop as well as on large commercial farms [2]. It is consumed by almost all the Sudanese people either as green immature pods (fried or cooked or in soup or stews) or sun dried and ground into a powdery form locally known as wieka" which is used as an ingredient in the preparation of a favorable Sudanese molah [3]. Fruit yield in okra is a complex trait that is governed by several yield components that are interrelated. The significance of number of pods per plant, early flowering and fruit weight in determining fruit yield in okra cultivars has been widely investigated by several workers [4][5][6][7]. Compared the yield performance of a local variety and an improved cultivar in Mubi and found that the improved cultivar was superior to the local in terms of pod yield [8].
The crop yields obtained in Pakistan are lesser than the existing potential due to soil deficiency in most of the nutrients required for plant growth and fruit development. Because of soil nutrient deficiency, not only the crop produces lower yields than the potentials, but the plant could not grow vigorously to resistant insect pests and diseases attack [9]. Phosphorous functions both as a part of several key plant structure compounds and as a catalysis in the conversion of various biochemical reactions in plants. Similarly, Potash is one of sixteen essential nutrient elements required for plant growth and reproduction [10]. In Pakistan, the okra is grown throughout the country [11]. Although climatic conditions are quite favorable of its cultivation but the average green pod yield per unit area in the country is low as compared with several other countries [12]. There are many reasons for low yield in Okra, including genetic factors, nutritional factors and space available to the plants. Besides the improved cultural practices, there is also need to grow high yielding cultivars to increase green pod yield per unit area. [ [14] reported okra Anamika and Saatdhari as the most promising Okra cultivars. Saatdhari recorded the highest pod weight (13.1g) and green pod yield (119.17 kg ha -1 ). Katung [15] found that the variety 'White velvet' produced more fruits than 'ExBorno'. Jamala et al. [8] recorded the highest fresh fruit yield of 10.7 tons ha -1 in improved okra cultivar as compared to local that recorded the lowest fresh fruit yield of 4.9 tons ha -1 . Falusi et al. [16] found that the number of leaves plant -1 and plant height at maturity and number of seeds pod -1 were significantly highest in V35 and Jokoso than in NH4. Some local cultivars are cultivated in this area for the last several decades. But these cultivars give no reasonable yields and are also affected by different insects and diseases. So there is an intense need to introduce some new cultivars with higher yield and quality product. In view of the facts mentioned above, five okra cultivars were tested under the agro-climatic conditions of Tandojam for their growth and yield performance.

Materials and Methods
The field experiment was conducted during the year 2015 at experimental and demonstration Orchard, Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. The okra varieties viz., Sabz Pari, Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika were evaluated for growth and yield attributes. The experiment was laid out in a three Replicated Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with plot size of 2m x 2.5m (5m 2 ). The soil of the experimental site was analyzed for basic physicochemical properties and texture. According to the soil analysis report, sand, silt and clay ratios in the experimental soil were 16.34, 46.66 and 37.00 percent, respectively and recognized as silty clay loamy in texture. The soil pH determined at 7.98, CaCO3 6.98 percent, EC 1.91 dSm-1, organic matter 0.530 percent, available P 7.11 mg kg-1, and total P 832.12 ppm. Accordingly the soil was deficient of organic matter and available P; while pH and EC levels were within acceptable limits. Initially, the land was prepared as per the recommended tillage practices. Deep plowing was done in the off-season to remove the hard pan of the soil and then leveling was done. After leveling the experimental fields were irrigated as soaking dose and when the land came in condition, it was plowed again and rotavator was operated. After completion of land preparation process, the ridges were prepared for sowing of okra varieties. Five Okra varieties Sabz Pari, Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli, Anamika were evaluated for the growth and yield performance. The Nitrogen (100 kg ha -1 ) were applied in the form of urea, phosphorus (75 kg ha -1 ) in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) and Potash (75 kg ha -1 ) in the form of sulphate of potash (SOP). All Phosphorous and potash along with 1/3 rd of Nitrogen were applied at the time of ridges preparation, while the remaining Nitrogen was given in two equal splits at 15 days interval. Observations Plant height (cm), Branches plant -1 , Pods plant -1 , Single pod weight (g) , Weight of pods plant -1 (g) , Pod length (cm), Pod yield (kg ha -1 ) were recorded. The data recorded on above characters was subjected to statistical analysis of variance following Gomez and Gomez (1984) and L.S.D. test was applied to discriminate the superiority of treatments means. The analysis of the data was conducted by the means of MSTAT-C Statistical Package for personal computers.

Results
The present experiment was conducted during 2015 at experimental and demonstration Orchard, Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. The okra varieties viz., Sabz Pari, Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika were evaluated for growth and yield indices at climatic conditions of Tandojam. The observations were recorded on plant height (cm), branches plant -1 , pods plant -1 , single pod weight (g), weight of pods plant -1 , pods length (cm) and pod yield (kg ha -1 ). The data on the above characters of okra are presented in Tables 1. The results for the above characters in view of the statistical analysis are interpreted under respective subheadings in the following pages:

Plant height (cm)
The analysis of variance demonstrated considerably remarkable variation in plant height (cm) of okra among varieties at probability level (P<0.05). However, LSD test indicates significant (P<0.05) difference in plant height (cm) between varieties 'Sabz Pari, Sharmeeli and Anamika' but nonsignificant (P>0.05) between varieties 'Punjab Selection and Anmol'. The information ( The minimum (13.47 pods plant -1 ) was recorded for okra variety 'Anamika'. The consequences point out that okra variety 'Sabz Pari' significantly enhanced pods plant -1 as compared to rest of the okra varieties 'Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika.

Single pod weight (g)
The analysis of variance signify remarkable variation in single pod weight (g) of okra among varieties at probability level (P<0.05). Similarly, LSD test nominated significant (P<0.05) difference in single pod weight (g) among varieties 'Sabz Pari, Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika. The proceedings (Table 1) represented that average maximum single pod weight were produced by variety 'Sabz Pari' (15.15 g) followed by variety 'Punjab Selection', 'Anmol' and 'Sharmeeli' resulted (13.81 g, 12.18 g, and 10.53 g). The minimum weight of single pod (9.60 g) was noted for okra variety 'Anamika'. The result indicates that okra variety 'Sabz Pari' drastically improved single pod weight (g) as compared to rest of the okra varieties 'Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika.

Weight of pods plant -1
The analysis of variance verified greatly incredible dissimilarity in weight of pods plant -1 of okra among varieties at probability level (P<0.05). On the other hand, LSD test also designated significant (P<0.05) difference in weight of pods plant -1 among varieties 'Sabz Pari, Punjab Selection and Anmol, But non-significant (P>005) for varieties 'Sharmeeli and Anamika'. The data (Table 1) specify that average maximum weight of pods plant -1 were produced by variety 'Sabz Pari' (252.67) followed by variety 'Punjab Selection', 'Anmol' and 'Sharmeeli' resulted (211.67, 179.67 and 163.67 plant -1 ). The minimum weight of pods plant -1 was noted for okra variety 'Anamika' with average weight of pods (157.00). The results indicate that okra variety 'Sabz Pari' resulted authoritatively for producing maximum weight of pods plant -1 followed by varieties 'Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika.

Pod length (cm)
The analysis of variance demonstrated considerably remarkable variation in pod length (cm) of okra among varieties at probability level (P<0.05). However, LSD test indicates significant (P<0.05) difference in pod height (cm) among varieties 'Sabz Pari, Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika'.
The information (Table 1) indicates that maximum pod length were examined for variety 'Sabz Pari' with average pod length (6.37 cm) followed by variety 'Punjab Selection', 'Anmol' and 'Sharmeeli' resulted average pod length of (5.79, 5.12 and 4.80 cm). Minimum pod length (3.76 cm) was determined for okra variety 'Anamika'. The results indicate that okra variety 'Sabz Pari' upshot maximum pod length as compared to rest of the okra varieties.

Pod length (cm)
Tallest pod length was examined for variety 'Sabz Pari' with average pod length (6.37 cm) followed by variety 'Punjab Selection', 'Anmol' and 'Sharmeeli' resulted average pod length of (5.79, 5.12 and 4.80 cm). The smallest pod length of (3.76 cm) was determined for okra variety 'Anamika'. The results indicate that okra variety 'Sabz Pari' upshot greatest pod length as compared to rest of the okra varieties. Rani  Mirpurkhas-I and Ahmedabadi and reported that Mirpurkhas-I showed its superiority over Ahmedabadi and Pusa Swani, particularly in pod length, while Ahmedabadi remained slightly better in pod length. Khokhar [19] reported that okra variety 'Emerald' produced significantly greater values for pod length (8.08cm) Pod yield (kg ha -1 ) Maximum pod yield were produced by variety 'Sabz Pari' followed by variety 'Punjab Selection', 'Anmol' and 'Sharmeeli'. The minimum pod yield was noted for okra variety 'Anamika'. The results indicate that okra variety 'Sabz Pari' resulted authoritatively for producing maximum pod yield (kg ha -1 ) followed by varieties 'Punjab Selection, Anmol, Sharmeeli and Anamika. These findings are in accordance with Amjad et al. [12] who reported that the pod yield ha -1 was highest (19.41 tons) in case of okra cv. Sabz Pari. Bandyopadhyay et al. [9] reported that okra cv. Parbhani Kranti plants gave highest yield as compared to rest of the tested varieties. However, the variation in the results may be associated with the varieties used in various researches may have typically different genotypes suitable for the particular environmental conditions. Conclusion It was concluded that the variety 'Sabz Pari' showed highest performance in all studded parameters followed by okra varieties Panjab selection, Anmol, and Sharmeeli. While the Okra variety Anamika showed least figure for pod yield. On the basis of present findings, it is recommended that okra variety 'Sabz Pari' may be grown for achieving optimum results in climatic conditions of Sindh, Pakistan.