Research Article

Effect of Varying Phosphorus and Potassium Doses on Growth and Root-Knot Disease in Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.)

Adhikari, B. and Adhikari, P.

Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal

*Corresponding author e-mail: padhikari@afu.edu.np

(Received: 30/01/2025; Revised: 29/03/2025; Accepted: 28/04/2025; Published: 20/06/2025)

ABSTRACT

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a warm-season vegetable commonly cultivated for its edible green pods. Known for its high nutritional value, okra is rich in vitamins A and C, folate, and dietary fiber. Phosphorus and potassium are essential for the healthy growth and high yields of okra. However, farmers in Nepal do not apply these nutrients in sufficient amounts, leading to poor crop growth and reduced productivity. A field experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University in Chitwan, Nepal, from March to June 2024, to determine the effect of different doses of phosphorus and potassium on growth and the control of root-knot disease in okra. Seven treatments were arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications: 70:37:24 kg NPK/ha (T₁), 70:37:0 kg NPK/ha (T₂), 70:37:48 kg NPK/ha (T₃), 70:37:72 kg NPK/ha (T₄), 70:0:24 kg NPK/ha (T₅), 70:52:24 kg NPK/ha (T₆), and 70:74:24 kg NPK/ha (T₇). The vegetative, yield, and disease parameters were recorded. The treatment with 70:74:24 kg NPK/ha (T₇) resulted in the highest plant height (75.16 cm) and the least number of days to 50% flowering (49.96 days). The number of fruits (15.26), fruit diameter (1.87 cm), fruit weight (22.37 g), and fruit yield per hectare (18.45 mt) were enhanced by 70:37:72 kg NPK/ha (T₄). The highest gall index (4.06) and the number of galls (75.53) were observed in the treatment with 70:0:24 kg NPK/ha (T₅). The treatments showed no significant difference in the incidence of root-knot disease. Therefore, higher doses of phosphorus and potassium were found to be effective for the growth and control of root-knot disease in okra.

Keywords: Gall index, Meloidogyne incognita, Phosphorus, Potassium, Root-knot