Growth, Productivity and Quality of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cv. Prabhani Kranti and Nutrient Balance in Soil under Chemical Fertilizers, Organic Manures and Biofertilizers in Sub-Tropical Condition

An experiment was conducted to find out suitable integrated nutrient management in okra cv. Prabhani Kranti with the aim to maximise growth, yield and quality under sub-tropical condition. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design replicated thrice with 15 treatments. The result revealed that application of 75% recommended dose of NPK along with FYM or vermicompost at 5 t/ha significantly enhanced the growth of the crop at different stages as expressed in terms of leaf area index, fresh and dry weight of the plant and NAR. The combination of 75% recommended NPK dose with either vermicompost or FYM at 5 t/ha + with or without Azospirillum remarkably enhanced the green fruit yield/ha. Higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of leaves at flowering time were associated with combined application of 75% recommended NPK dose + vermicompost or FYM at 5 t/ha + with or without Azospirillum. Integration of higher levels of major nutrients with FYM/ vermicompost along with Azospirillum increase the crude protein content but decrease the crude fibre content of green fruit of okra. The combined application of 75% recommended dose of NPK + vermicompost at 5 t/ha with or without Azospirillum recorded higher postharvest available soil NPK as compared to rest of the other treatment. Higher positive nitrogen and potassium balance was associated with the integration of organic and inorganic nutrient application, however, the balance of phosphorus was found to be negative irrespective of the treatments.