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ABSTRACT
Studies on the effect of bat guano on the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. was carried out in the screen house for 6 weeks. Five treatments groups were selected- 0g, 50g, 100g, 150g and 200g in 4kg soils each. Thirty six pots in total were used for the experiment. Each treatment had six replicates. Ten seeds were sown in each experimental pot and observed for growth. Morphological parameters were evaluated- germination, number of leaves, plant height and stem girth. Physiological parameters like- total chlorophyll, proline, carotenoid, lycopene content and nitrate reductase of leave tissues were analysed. The seeds of Abelmoschus esculentus sown in control experimental pots gave the highest percent germination with value of 61.66±0.0628 14 days after planting. The least percent germination of Abelmoschus esculentus seeds was recorded in 100g guano supplemented soil with a value of 30.66±31.67. Seeds failed to germinate in 200g supplemented soils. Plants in the control experimental pots produced the highest average number of leaves, 10.500±0.177, 6 weeks after planting. Plants in the control experimental pots had the highest value for plant height 24.06±0.467. For proline content, leaves of Abelmoschus esculentus plants grown in 50g guano supplemented soil gave the highest value of 1.359µmole/g FW. The highest average value for carotenoid and lycopene content was obtained in plants grown in sthe 100g bat guano supplemented soils with the value of 2199.3mg/g FW and 1.667mg/g FW respectively. The highest value for the total chlorophyll content was recorded for plants grown in 50 g guano supplemented soil with the average value of 1.804mg/g FW. It is evident that the use of bat guano in smaller quantities could be a more efficient and sustainable approach to enhance plant growth.
