Effect of spacing and pinching on growth and quality of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Abstract

The investigation entitled “Effect of spacing and pinching on growth and quality of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]” was carried out at Regional Horticultural Research Station, Vegetable Research Farm, ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during summer season of 2023 on var. GNO-1 (Purna Rakshak). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with factorial concept, having three spacing levels (S1 - 45 cm × 30 cm, S2 - 45 cm × 45 cm, S3 - 60 cm × 30 cm) and three pinching stages (P0 - no pinching, P1 - pinching at 30 DAS and P2 - pinching at 40 DAS). Thus, the experiment comprised of nine treatment combinations which were replicated thrice. Apart from three spacing levels, spacing S1 (45 cm × 30 cm) was found significantly maximum on plant height at 60 DAS (52.53 cm), at final harvest (86.12 cm) and internodal length (5.11 cm). However, number of branches per plant (3.71), stem girth (5.86 cm) was found higher in plant sown at spacing S3 (60 cm × 30 cm). whereas, vitamin C (19.09 mg/100 g) and chlorophyll content (2.69 mg/100 g) were found higher in plant spacing S1 (45 cm × 30 cm). Apart from three different pinching stages, pinching P0 (no pinching) was found significantly maximum on plant height at 60 DAS (52.04 cm), at final harvest (86.02 cm); and internodal length (5.08 cm). Whereas, maximum number of branches per plant (3.53), stem girth (5.35 cm) was recorded in P1 (pinching at 30 DAS). Higher vitamin C (19.12 mg/100 g) was found in P2 (pinching at 40 DAS) while higher chlorophyll content (2.23 mg/100 g) was recorded in P1 (pinching at 30 DAS). The interaction effect of the plant spacing and pinching on number of branches per plant (4.53) was found significant.