ABSTRACT
This research investigated how plant spacing and the number of plants per stand, influenced the damage and severity level of leaf beetles on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). The experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments (40×25×1, 40×25×2, 40×25×3, 50×25×1, 50×25×2, 50×25×3) and four replications. Data were collected weekly from 2 weeks after sowing (WAS) till 9WAS to assess the extent of plant damage and the severity of leaf beetles infestation. Data on emergence, flowering, maturity and yield was also recorded. Data obtained was analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
Results showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the number of damaged plants and severity between different plants spacing and number of plants per stand. Severity in this study ranged from mild at 2WAS to extremely severe at 8WAS. Yield results indicated that closer spacing with more plants per stand (40 × 25 × 3) produced the highest yield, with significant increases in the number of capsules per plant, fresh capsule weight, dry capsule weight, and seed yield compared to wider spacing. Conversely, wider spacing (50 × 25 cm) resulted in earlier flowering and maturity but lower total yield.
Plant spacing and the density of plants per plot did not significantly influence damage caused by leaf beetles. However, they had a profound effect on the growth, flowering, and yield of okra.
