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2025 Vol.37, Issue 4 Preview Page

Research Article

Growth and Yield Response of Okra to NPS Fertilizer Rates and Plant Density in Jimma, Southwestern Ethiopia
Lam Jock Tang1
,
Amsalu Nebiyu2
,
John Barnabas3
,
Minwoo Baek4
,
Shimeles Tilahun25
,
Derbew Belew2*
1Lecturer, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Gambella University, Gambella 126, Ethiopia
2Professor, Department of Horticulture and Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma 307 Ethiopia
3Lecturer, Department of Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Gambella University, Gambella 126, Ethiopia
4Ph.D. Candidate, Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
5Researcher, Agriculture and Life Science Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2025. pp. 386-403
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Abstract

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench), is an important vegetable crop in the Malvaceae family, recognized for its substantial nutritional and economic value. Despite its potential, okra remains under-utilized, largely due to limited information on optimal agronomic practices. This study was conducted at the research premises of Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM) to evaluate the effects of NPS fertilizer rates and plant population density on the growth, yield, and yield components of okra. The experiment consisted of three intra-row spacings (20, 30, and 40 cm) combined with four NPS fertilizer rates (0, 62.5, 125, and 187.5 kg ha-1). The results demonstrated that both NPS fertilizer rate and plant density significantly influenced key growth parameters, yield attributes, and pod yield of okra. A significant interaction between NPS fertilizer and plant density was observed for days to 50% flowering and the number of leaves per plant. The longest time to 50% flowering (60 days) occurred under the combination of 187.5 kg NPS ha-1 and 40 cm intra-row spacing, while the shortest (34.66 days) was recorded with 0 kg NPS ha-1 and 20 cm spacing. The maximum number of leaves (28.23) was obtained from 125 kg NPS ha-1 combined with 30 cm spacing. In addition, days to 50% pod set, plant height, length of the pod-bearing zone, number of branches, number of pods, pod length, fresh and dry pod weight, pod yield, and crop stand were significantly affected by the main effects of fertilizer rate and plant population. Overall, the application of 125 kg NPS ha-1 with an intra-row spacing of 30 cm resulted in better growth and maximum pod yield of the Amola okra variety under Jimma conditions. Further studies across diverse locations and seasons are recommended to confirm and strengthen these findings.

Keywords
Amola variety
Fertilizer
Green pod
Production
Spacing within rows
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Information
  • Publisher :Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University
  • Publisher(Ko) :None
  • Journal Title :Journal of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
  • Volume : 37
  • No :4
  • Pages :386-403
  • Received Date : 2025-11-26
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-29
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-01
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22698/jales.20250032
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