Abstract:
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is the most popular vegetable in Sri Lank-a.It is a
nutrient-rich vegetable, and the crop responds well to organic fertilizers. A pot
experiment was carried out to evaluate the impact of red onion (Allium cepaL.) peel
liquid (ACL) and moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) leaf extract (MLE) organic fertilizer
on growth and yield of okra. The experiment was arranged in a completely
randomized design with 48 replications. Different concentrations of the red onion peel
liquid and moringa leaf extract organic fertTlize\ along with the recommended level
of inorganic fertilizer (as per the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka) was defined
as treatment, viz. Tl-control (recommended inorganic fertilizer), T2 (100%MLE + y,
dosage of recommended inorganic fertilizer), T3 (100% ACL + Yz dosage of
recommended inorganic fertilizer), T4 (20% ll;4LE +- 80% ACL + % dosage of
recommended inorganic fertilizer), T5 (40% }i4LE ) 60oh ACL + Y, dosage of
recommended inorganic fertilizer), T6 (50% MLE + 50% ACL + Yz dosage of
recommended inorganic fertilizer), T7 (60% MLE + 40Yo ACL + Y, dosage of
recommended inorganic fertilizer) & T8 (80% MLE + 20o/o ACL + Y' dosage of
recommended inorganic fertilizer). Agronomic practices, except fertihzer application,
were followed as recommended for all treatments. Growth and yield parameters were
measured at two-week interval and total yield per plant was measured at two days
interval. Plants treated with 100% moringa leaf extract with. % dosage of
reconrmended inorganic fertilizer -'12 (0.253 l/m2) showed significantly (p<0.05)
better performance in measured growth parameters, vtz., plant height, stem girth,
number of leaves, Ieaf area, days to 50% flowering, days to first flowering, number of
flowers, days to first harvest, fresh weight of leaves, pod length, pod gi.rth, pod fresh
weight and total yield per plant. The lowest performance was recorded in plants under
T8. From this study it could be concluded that, I00% moringa leaf extract combined
with half dosage of recommended inorganic fertilizer (T2) provides optimum
nutrients for okra growth and yield, while promoting sustainable and environmentally
friendly alternative s to c onventional fertilization technique s.
