Influence of Mulch Materials on Weed Suppression, Soil Moisture Content, Growth and Yield of Okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> L. Moench)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at National Horticultural Research Institute ldi-ishi, Ibadan to investigate the influence of mulching materials on weed suppression, soil moisture content, growth and yields of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). The mulch materials were dried leaves of Azadirachta indica, Terminalia catappa, Eugenia uniflora, crop residue and black polyethylene mulch with hoeing and no weeding as control. The experiment was conducted between November 2009 to February 2010 during irrigation situation and June to September 2010 during rainfed condition. The experimental design was randomized complete block design in three replications. The use of mulch significantly affected the yield and growth parameters of okra with plastic mulch resulting in the highest pod number (6.10) and fresh weight (66.0 g) per plant during irrigation and highest pod number (11.0) and fresh weight (58. 0 g) per plant during irrigation situation. Highest soil moisture retention was observed from plots mulched with Eugenia uniflora (6. 6%) during irrigation ·and (6%) in hoe weeding plot during rainfed situation. Least weed density (4.0 plant/m²), fresh weight (25.0 g) dry weight (2.0 g) and least weed density (6.0 plant/m²) fresh weight (100.0g) and dry weight (34.0g) was recorded from plot with plastic mulch during irrigation and rainfed situation respectively. These were significantly lower compared with other mulched plots and no weeding i.e. control. Therefore mulch materials reduced weed interference in okra production while, enhancing moisture retention promotes faster crop development and yield of okra.