Effect of integrated use of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers on seed quality and vigour of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) under Chhattisgarh plains

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Farm, Lakhanpur, Katghora, Korba (Chhattisgarh) to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers in combination with chemical fertilizers on seed production and seed quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) var. Kashi Kranti under the agro-climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh plains. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with Twelve treatments comprising different combinations of recommended NPK doses along with phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Azotobacter and VAM, replicated thrice. Seed quality parameters such as germination percentage, seedling length, dry seedling weight, seed vigour index I and seed vigour index II were studied. The pooled analysis of data revealed that the treatment 100% NPK + PSB @ 5 kg ha⁻¹ consistently recorded the highest values for all seed quality parameters, followed by 100% NPK and 100% NK + 75% P + PSB @ 5 kg ha⁻¹, which were statistically at par. The lowest seed quality attributes were observed under 50% NPK + Azotobacter + PSB. The results clearly indicated that integrated nutrient management, particularly the combined application of chemical fertilizers with PSB, significantly enhanced seed quality and vigour of okra. The consistency of results across both years suggests that the integrated use of 100% NPK along with PSB is an effective and sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving seed quality of okra under Chhattisgarh plain conditions.