ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of Trichoderma, Cow dung and various watering regimes on the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seeds. The study was carried out in a screen house at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. It was factorial experiments using completely randomized design (CRD) involving three treatments (Topsoil only, Topsoil + Trichoderma, Topsoil + Cows dung) and four (4) watering regimes (Daily, 2days, 3days and 4days) and was replicated three (3) times. The Trichoderma was isolated from soil samples obtained from sapele road. Data was collected on the soil physical and chemical properties, plant morphological properties namely; Plant height, collar girth, leaf breadth, Number of leaves, Leaf length, Fresh weight, Dry weight and Root length.
Results shows that Topsoil + Cow dung (Ts + Cd) produced the highest mean root length of (25.88cm) while untreated Topsoil produced the highest mean Plant height (47.02cm), Collar girth (3.03cm), Leaf breadth (14.83cm), Leaf length (10.65cm), Number of leaves (6.41cm) and Fresh weight (26.17cm). Daily watering proved the best watering regime producing a Plant height of (39.14cm), Leaf breadth of (12.58cm), Leaf length of (9.06cm), Root length of (21.00cm), Fresh weight of (22.83g) and Dry weight of (3.23g). Watering every 2 days produced the highest mean Collar girth of (2.86cm) and watering every 4 days produced the highest mean Number of leaves of (5.55). Based on the result obtained from this study, Okra seeds can be planted using Top soil only and watered daily. Whereby in situations of low water availability, watering every 4 days is a good substitute.
