EFFECT OF ZINC AND BORON FERTILIZERS AND THEIR APPLICATION METHODS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) farm, Dhaka during the period from march 2021 to July 2021 in order to effect of Zn and B on the growth and yield of okra (BARI dheros 2). The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: Zn application as (i) Zn 0 : 0 kg Zn ha -1 (ii) Zn 1 : 3 kg Zn ha -1 as soil application (iii) Zn : 3 kg Zn ha -1 as foliar application. Factor B: B application as (i) B 0 : 0 kg B ha -1 (ii) B as soil application (iii) B 2 : 2 kg B ha -1 as foliar application. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data on the growth, yield contributing characters and yield were recorded statistically significant variation in results was observed between the treatments. In terms of Zn effect, the highest plant height (167 cm), number of leaves plant -1 (44.8) and number of branches plant (3.78) were observed in Zn 2 (3 kg Zn ha -1 as foliar application) treatment. Again the highest number of fruits (26.9), yield (14 t ha -1 ) were noted for Zn 2 (3 kg Zn ha -1 1 2 : 2 kg B ha -1 as foliar application) treatment. In terms of B effect, the highest plant height (156 cm), number of leaves plant (47) and number of branches plant -1 (3.83), numbers of fruits plant -1 (27.2) and yield (11.8 t ha ) were recorded with B 2 (2 kg B ha -1 as foliar application) treatment. Combined effect of Zn and B fertilizer application on yield showed statistically significant variation compared with control. The highest plant height (180 cm), number of leaves plant -1 (50.0) and number of branches plant -1 (4.40), number of fruits plant -1 (30.0) and yield (17.5 t ha -1 ) was noted with the treatment combination Zn

2 B 2 (3 kg Zn ha -1 with 2 kg B ha

-1 as foliar application).