Abstract:
To overcome the malnutrition, economic and food crisis existing in Sri Lanka, our
agricultural productivity needs to be increased. Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), is reported to have
been a hardy, very important source of nutrition and potential economic returns for many tropical and
subtropical countries. The development of agricultural technology to optimize production and
growing plants, the using fertilizers also becomes more pertinent. This research deals with different
types of fertilization and their effect on the growth, development, and yield of Okra. The three
fertilizer treatments, namely Department of Agriculture's recommendation (T1) as control, the SAS
fertilizer (T2), and vermicompost +50% of T1 (T3), were compared. The treatments were laid out in
RCBD with three replicates for the evaluation of the growth and parameters, pod production, and root
biomass. Two-way ANOVA was performed using the SAS software. Duncan’s Multiple Ranges Test
(DMRT) was used to determine the least significant differences among the treatments at P <0.05.
Results from the study showed variations influenced by the treatments. T1 significantly increased the
height of the plant (161.73 cm), stem girth (9.77±0.76 cm), and pod yield of 23.45 pods/plant over T2
and T3. Additionally, T1 revealed that the maximum pod girth of 7.58±0.52 cm and a number of pods
was 23.45±4.17, showing that inorganic fertilizer resulted in better overall growth and yield
performances. However, T3, representing organic methodology, evinced continued benefits, as well,
in the form of a more balanced nutrient supply and improved soil health. In this, it is possible to
interpret that while inorganic fertilizers improve productivity immediately, the integrated use of
organic alternatives like vermicompost can actually encourage long-term soil fertility and
sustainability in okra cultivation.
