Effects of branch pruning on plant growth, fruit and seed yield in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) Cultivars NHAe47-4 and LD88-1.

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Minna to evaluate the effect of branch pruning on plant growth, fruit and seed yields of two okra cultivars (NHAe47-4 and LD88) in 2009. The pruning treatments included (i) no pruning (Control), (ii) pruning of all branches but the lowest (iii) pruning of all branches but the lowest two and (iv) pruning of all branches but the lowest three. The Randomized Complete Block Design was used with three replications. pruning did not significantly (P>5%) affect the number of days to first flower production and 50% flowering. Plant of LD88-were generally significantly (P<5%) taller at maturity, produced greater number of fruits per branch and had bigger seeds than NHAe47-4. Pruning and variety by pruning interaction did not significantly affect the number of fruits on the main stem. Spearing the lowest two branches of the two okra varieties resulted in significant improvement in fruit and seed yields.