Effects of fertilizer rates on growth and yield characters of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [l.] Moench) inoculated with Cucumber mosaic virus

Abstract

The impacts of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer rates on growth and yield characters of okra plants inoculated with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were investigated under field conditions in Minna, Nigeria during the 2014 cropping season. Four treatments (CMV only; CMV + 100 kg/ha NPK; CMV + 200 kg/ha NPK; and 300 kg/ha NPK) were arranged in randomised complete block design with four replications. Seedlings were mechanically inoculated with CMV at 10 days after sowing. Virus detection and quantification was accomplished by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Data were collected on the growth and yield characters. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and significance was determined at p=0.05. Significance means were separated using the least Significance Difference (LSD). All the plants elicited the typical symptoms of CMV infection, regardless of the treatment. Plants without fertilizer suffered the highest disease severity (4.1) and virus concentration (1.2), and also recorded the lowest fruit weight per plant (30.5 g). Application of 100 kg/ha of NPK resulted in the lowest disease severity (2.0) and virus concentration (0.6) as well as the highest fruit weight per plant (58.5 g). Application of 100 kg/ha of NPK is recommended for good growth and appreciable yield of okra under CMV disease pressure.