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ABSTRACT
Pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of some organic and inorganic fertilizer (applied in a single dosage) on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) and the growth of bacteria present in its rhizosphere; at the teaching and research farm of the Department of Soil Science in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Four treatments; control, poultry manure, earthworm cast and urea were laid out in a randomized complete block design (CRBD) with three replications. Data were obtained on growth (plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and leaf area) and yield parameters of okra plant. Results obtained from the research indicated that the yield of okra was lowest in control and the growth was lowest in urea. These results further suggest that, the organic fertilizer used in the study especially the organic manure (poultry manure) positively influenced the agronomic performance of the okra plant. Poultry manure increased okra plant height and, leaf area compared with the control and urea. Poultry manure (4) and earthworm caste (3) recorded significantly higher number of leaves and compared with the urea (2) as at eight (8) week of sowing. Whereas, fresh fruit weight from the various treatment plots were in the following order; poultry manure (88.81g) > earthworm caste (54.93g) > urea (9.99g) > control (5.76g). Although the nitrogen content and SOM of the soil was higher (1.74g/kg) and (41.58g/kg) with earthworm caste, the highest fruit weight was obtained in poultry manure treated soils. However, It was also observed from the microbial analysis carried out on the soil samples obtained from the various plots that, soils with poultry manure (5.87cfu/g) had slightly higher microbial population, relative to control (5.42cfu/g). Based on the findings of this experiment, it could be concluded that organic fertilizer promotes higher performance of okra than urea applied in a single dosage.
