Response of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) varieties to fertilizers: Yield and yield components as influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus application

The response of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) varieties (White velvet and NHAE 47-4) to fertilization in northern Nigeria was examined using four rates of nitrogen (0, 25, 50 and 100 kg ha^–1) and three rates of phosphorus (0, 13 and 26 kg ha^–1). Nitrogen application significantly increased green pod yield, pod diameter, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per pod and pod weight. Application of phosphorus also significantly increased green pod yield, pod number and number of seeds per pod. The two varieties responded to nitrogen application differentially with respect to green pod yield. For optimum green pod yield of White velvet 35 kg N ha^–1 is suggested while for variety NHAE 47-4, N fertilization can be increased to 70 kg ha^–1. There was no differential response of varieties to phosphorus fertilization for green pod yield; however, the application of 13 kg ha^–1 enhanced the performance of both varieties.