GROWTH AND YIELD OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus) AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF

GOAT manure

February 2025

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Okra is a high-value crop because it represents a source of nutrients that are important to human
health, e.g., vitamins, potassium, calcium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids such
as linolenic and oleic acids, and also of bioactive chemicals. Okra is a multipurpose crop due to the
varied use of its leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems, and seeds. Okra has long been used as a vegetable
and a source of dietary medicine. Indeed, beside its nutritional role, it is suitable for certain medical and
industrial applications (Liao et al. 2018).

One of current main challenge is promote and ensure healthy food in a sustainable manner, indeed the
attention to less common food source is addressed. Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench) of the
Malvaceae family (also known as Hibiscus esculentus) is an annual herb that is more commonly known
in several other vernacular names as ladies finger, okra, bhindi, or gumbo. This important vegetable
crop, native to Africa, is grown in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates in different
countries from Africa to Asia, Southern Europe, and America (Durazzo 2019).

Several studies reported antioxidant properties of okra for instance; (Geng et al 2011.) studied the
extraction and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds from okra flowers: the extract exhibits a
strong DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power, which makes it a potential functional
ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The work of Hu et al. determined the antioxidant
activity of extract and its major constituents identified, i.e., quercetin 3-O-glucosyl (1→6) glucoside
(QDG) and quercetin 3-O-glucoside (QG), from okra seed on oxidative stress induced by carbon
tetrachloride (CCl4) in a rat hepatocyte cell line: both total extracts and total constituents exhibited
excellent reducing power and free radical scavenging capabilities including DPPH, superoxide anions,
and hydroxyl radicals. Moreover the same authors showed that total phenolic extract (TPE), QG, and
QDG pretreatments significantly alleviated the cytotoxicity of CCl4 on rat hepatocytes, with attenuated
lipid peroxidation, increased SOD and CAT activities, and decreased GPT and GOT activities. The recent
work of Graham et al., by studying the total phenol content and antioxidant activity of okra seeds from
different genotypes, marked how the utilization of okra seeds as tea or in other diets could provide
antioxidant benefits. Concerning oil from okra seed, Dong et al., showed the DPPH radical scavenging
activity of the oil extracted by screw press expression methodology is higher than those by supercritical
carbon dioxide extraction and solvent extraction procedure (Lucarini, 2011).

However, the resource poor farmers combine urea and locally sourced organic manure such as goat
dung. The goat dung manure is expected to add other nutrients apart from N to the soil and it will also
help to reduce soil bulk density which may reduce nutrient uptake, growth and yield of celesia (Ojeniyi
and Adegboyega, 2003). The use of organic fertilizer is consistent with the Integrated Soil Fertility
Navaqenuily (ISFM) framework (CIAT, TSBF, ICRAT, 2002; Vanlanwe et al., 2002b). Although, many
studies have been carried out on the effect of poultry and cattle manures on soil properties and crops,
studies are quite scary on the effects of use of goat manure (GM) fertilizer in okra (Samuel et al., 2011).

Hence, the production solution in water limited countries like Namibia, not all communities can afford
to practice horticulture using conventional hydroponics. This has been the drawback for many even
around Henties Bay where this technology has been demonstrated for years to the local community by
Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (SANUMARC). This situation can partly be
addressed by development of cheaper, alternative fertilizers such as using manure for
hydroponics. Generally, organic nutrient solution for hydroponics is a fairly new practice despite the
similarities in plant growth when either conventional or organic fertilizer is applied on soil. It was not
until the early 1990s when liquid manures for hydroponics were introduced. Challenges emerged such
as organic fertilizer being unsuitable to plant growth (Garland et al., 1997; Liedl et al., 2014),

Moreover, the forms of nitrogen absorbed by plants are nitrate and ammonium (Strayer et al., 1997).
Therefore, the nitrogen in manure requires to be mineralized prior to use by plants hydroponically.
Several studies including Garland et al. (1997) and Shinohara et al. (2011) have demonstrated that
using microorganisms to degrade organic nitrogen in organic sources such as manure results in
nitrates and ammonium production which in turn are used for plant production. Therefore, the
current study investigated the efficacy of an organic hydroponic nutrient solution on plants’
performance. The organic nutrient solution was processed from goat manure using a specialized culture
of microbes from natural compost (Liang et al., 2014).

Vegetable cultivation is one of the major enterprises in horticulture which is becoming more popular
due to the greater appreciation of their food values (Gardner, 2004), Vitamins and minerals
(Adeboye1996). Vegetables contribute an important part of the diet to many people in the tropics more
especially in the South East, Nigeria. Okra is essentially a tropical crop and among the most commonly
grown vegetable throughout Nigeria. It is cultivated for its fresh fruits in both tropical and sub-tropical
countries (Phlips, 1997). The stem yield is useful as fiber. While the leaves are considered good cattle
feed and are consumed sometimes. The seeds however can be roasted and used as substitute for coffee
(Farinde and Owolarafe, 2010).
Objectives of the Study

Determine the growth of okra as affected by the different amount of goat manure.

Determine the yield of okra as affected by the different amount of goat manure.

To find out the suitable level of goat manure on growth, yield of okra.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This Study will be limited to the growth and yield of okra as affected by the different level of
goat manure.

Time and Place of the Study

This study will be conducted from February 2022 to may 2022 at SAICC.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE

Okra (Abelmoschusesculentus),

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench) is an important vegetable in tropical and subtropical
area. It is one of the most important vegetables in India and in Nigeria alone it occupies 1.5 million
hectares (IFA, 1992). The uptake of minerals by okra is rather high. Indicative figures for total nutrient
uptake per ha of a crop with a fruit yield of about 10 t ha-1 are 100 kg N, 10 kg P, 60 kg K, 80 kg CA and
40 kg GM. But scarcity and high cost of fertilizer hamper its adequate use (Adediran et al., 2003; Louise,
2003), Also further intensification of fertilizer use may also add to widespread problem of soil
acidification (Scherr, 1999; Vanlauwe et al., 2002a) or eutroplication of

Goat Manure

The application of goat manure significantly increases soil pH, organic matter content, total nitrogen,
available phosphorous, exchangeable potassium, calcium, magnesium and the cation exchange capacity
status of the soil. Goat manure is readily available on most farms in Meru South and Manyatta sub
counties. However, its use has received little research attention and hence not effectively used in
sustainable agriculture. Goat manure is more useful when composted rather than when applied directly.
Composting of goat manure can be done using earthworms to produce vermicompost. Hence, the use of
organic manures like goat manure-based vermicompost and improved okra varieties can go a long way
towards improving okra yield, in Meru South and Manyatta sub-counties (Uwah and Eyo, 2014).

Using goat manure in garden beds can create the optimal growing conditions for your plants. The
naturally dry pellets are not only easy to collect and apply, but are less messy than many other types of
manure. There are endless uses for goat manure. Goat droppings can be used in nearly any type of
garden, including that of flowering plants, herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees. Goat manure can even be
composted and used as [Link] manure contains adequate amounts of the nutrients that plants
need for optimal growth, especially when the goats have bed in stalls. As urine collects in goat
droppings, the manure retains more nitrogen, thus increasing its fertilizing potency. However, this
increase in nitrogen usually requires composting prior to use (Tilley, 2021).

The most commonly used animal manures are dung, poultry manure and goat manure, horse manure
and swine manure. In India, poultry manure is commonly used, which is high in nutrient content
because solid and liquid excreta are excreted together. Lower C:N ratio, higher nutrients like sulfur, Fe,
Zn, Cu and Mn were recorded in cage poultry manure (Table 7.10). The higher protein content and oil
content in mustard was recorded with the application of cage system poultry manure @10 ton ha−
1 which was at par with deep litter system poultry manure at higher rates, i.e., 20 ton ha− 1. Higher
protein and oil content are mainly due to the supply of secondary and micronutrients (Verma et al.,
2019).

Organic Manure

Organic farming practices are the potential way to decrease the negative environmental impact of
excessive amounts of chemical fertilizers (Aksoy, 2001 and Chowdhury, 2004). Organic fertilizers are
environmental friendly and improve soil health, water-holding capacity, high cation exchange capacity
and low bulk density and they foster diverse population of beneficial soil microorganisms (Bulluck et al.,
2002, and Mohammad et al., 2013). Crop production is hampered due to increase in air temperature
and intensity of solar radiation because of the climate changes and urbanization. One of the ways to
cope with this trend is to protect the crops. Colour-shade net is an effective way, because it influences
the microclimate to which the plant is exposed and offer physical protection against excessive radiation,
insect pests (Shahak et al., 2004).

Many physiological processes, from the emergence of seedlings to fruit development and maturity
depend on the quantity and quality of the light. Application of shading net is one of the important
factors that greatly influence the growth and yield of okra (Kyriakopoulou et al., 2012). The highest yield
of okra from the combined effect of vermin compost and netting which was 56.74% higher compared to
control treatment combination(Akhter [Link], 2019).

There have been many kinds of organic fertilizers, such as manure, sewage sludge, stalks, compost,
biogas residues, biogas slurry and so on. An increasing body of literature has been focused on the N
fertilizers for crop yield and NO3 −-N leaching, but very little is about comparing different kinds of
organic fertilizers on NO3 −-N distribution (soil, leachate and crop), vegetable yield and quality during
the agricultural process. To solve the problem of nitrate content in vegetables, soil and underground
water exceeding standard caused by unreasonable fertilization, specific objectives of this study were to:
(i) evaluate different organic fertilizers on vegetable yield and quality; (ii) and also determine nitrate
concentrations in different soil layers and soil leach ate to evaluate environmental risk (SciRep 2017).
It was reported that okra vegetative growth in fish-based organic fertilizer mineralised by
microorganisms was similar to those in the conventional fertiliser. Kawamura-Aoyama et al. (2014)
maintain that vegetative growth can be increased even in other crops such as lettuce when grown in
organic nutrient solution degraded by microorganisms. This is because there are sufficient levels of
nitrate in nutrient solutions formulated from organic sources such as animal manure, since most
vegetable crops prefer nitrate (N) over ammonium (N) (Cruz et al., 2006). As is evident from the
current study’s levels of nitrate in the organic nutrient solution, it was sufficient to produce
vegetative growth in many plants similar to when they were grown under conventional nutrient
solution, and significantly more improved more than when plants were grown without the addition
of either manure or fertilizer Shinohara et al. (2011).
CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Materials

Land Preparation

The field will be thoroughly plowed and harrowed. Then, it will be left uncultivated for seven days to
allow weed seeds to germinate and grasses to decompose. After seven days, plowing and harrowing will
be done immediately to break soil clods not pulverized in the first plowing and harrowing to obtain
excellent soil texture.

Experimental Design

This study will be carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). There will be four (4)
treatments to be replicate four (4) times

Sowing

Okra seeds will be directly seeded in the field and planted in a slightly moist soil. Three (3) seeds were
dropped per hills of 30 centimeters apart with 60 centimeters between rows. The dead or missing hills
that emerged after three days will be replaced to have a uniform population. Fifteen days (15) after
planting, the plants were thinned to two seedlings per hill. Small and sickly seedlings will be removed by
hand-pulling in order not to disturb or destroy the healthy seedlings.

Fertilization

The application of fertilizer will be applied basically on or before sowing.

Weed Control

Weeding will be done manually by hand pulling to remove weeds whenever it is necessary.

Harvesting

Harvesting will be done 50 to 65 days after sowing. Okra fruits will be harvested two (2) cycles with
seven (7) days interval. .
FIELD LAYOUT

Replication

I II III IV

C B D A

D A B C

A D C B

B C A D

Legend
 TREATMENTS (no. of ton/ha- Goat manure Fertilizer)

T1 = basal application of organic fertilizer during sowing (8t/ha),

T2 = two split application of organic fertilizer during planting and at 30 days after sowing (8t/ha).

T3 = three split application of organic fertilizer during sowing and after the first harvest (8t/ha).

SAMPLE PLOT

Figure no.1.

The distance between furrows will be 15 cm and 30 cm. between harrows.

DATA TO BE GATHERED
Plant height:

The length and diameter of the fruit was measured using a ruler and tape measure, respectively,
from the 10 sample fruits every treatment from the first to the last priming.

Number of fruits per harvest

The numbers of harvested fruits from random 10 sample plants will be recorded. The fruit of
okra will be gathered by counting the fruits of the selected 10 plants.

Number of marketable and non-marketable fruit harvest

The fruits were classified according to their marketability. Marketable fruits were classified as follows:
insect and disease-free, free from bruises, no mechanical damage, and have a shiny bright color.
Whereas, the unmarketable fruits were classified as: presence of insect damage, curled fruits and
evident bruises. This was recorded by getting the average from the first to the last priming. It was
calculated as follows:

% Marketable Fruits= Weight of marketable fruits (kg)

Total weight of harvested fruits (kg).

Yield of ton per hectare.

Yield per Hectare =Yield per plot (kg) 10000 x (m2)

1000kg per ton x area harvested (m2)

Number of days to 50%flowering

This will be gathered by counting the days from planting until 50% of the sample plants had emerged
flowers.

Number of fruits per plant;

The number of harvested fruits per plant will be counted every harvesting.
DUMMY TABLE

Table 1. Mean number of shoots per treatment of cactus applied with varying levels of goat manure
after on or before sowing.

Goat manure

REPLICATION

Treatment I II III IV Total Mean

T1 = basal application of organic fertilizer during sowing (8t/ha),

T2 = two split application of organic fertilizer during planting and at 30 days after sowing (8t/ha).

T3 = three split application of organic fertilizer during sowing and after the first harvest (8t/ha).

Pre analysis of variance

Source of df SS MS Composed F Tubular F

Variance 0.05 0.01

Replication 3

Treatment 3

Error 9
Total 15

This format will be followed by other table.