Effect of Different Mulching Materials on Growth Parameters and Yield of Okra (<i>Abelmoschus </i><i>esculentus</i><i>) </i>Production in Minna, Nigeria

Abstract

During the 2022 growing season (August to November) at the Federal University of Technology, Minna School farm, Niger State, an experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of mulching on Okra's growth, yield, and moisture content was examined across four distinct growth stages (initial, development, mid, and late) and at varying soil depths (0 -30 cm and 30 -60 cm). The study employed a randomised complete block design with four replications, encompassing control (T0), groundnut shells mulch (T1), black polythene mulch (T2), and white polythene mulch (T3) as treatments. The highest average Okra fresh pod yield, amounting to 23.4 t/ha, was achieved by implementing white plastic mulch, contrasting with the control treatment, which yielded the lowest at 22 t/ha. Notably, the control plots exhibited yield reductions of up to 32% compared to the plots employing white plastic mulching. The utilisation of mulch had a notable impact on the overall crop yield, with the superior quality evident in the treatment employing white plastic mulch (26 t/ha). The control treatment exhibited the lowest quality at 24.3 t/ha. Groundnut shell mulch influenced moisture conservation, but no significant variance was observed compared to the control plots. Therefore, the study suggests that polythene mulch may be the most suitable type to enhance the quality of okra production by conserving soil moisture. Among the biodegradable and non-biodegradable mulches used in this study, white polythene mulch was the most effective.