Effect of Plastic Mulches and Botanicals on Growth and Physiological Attributes of Okra

Author: Sindhu V, Ram Krishna Sarkar, Suprava Biswal, Ankita Debnath and Safal Rai

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Abstract

Plastic mulches can play an important role in pest control by light reflection repels and additionally the high temperature generated reduces the incidence of diseases. The cultivation of okra by the use of synthetic chemicals which affects the human health as well as the environment. Plant extracts (botanicals) have potentiality to manage the plant pests and diseases which is more efficient, eco-friendly and cost effective as compared to chemicals. A field experiment was conducted at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal, India during summer season of 2021 and 2022 to find out the effect of plastic mulches and botanicals on growth and physiological attributes of okra. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (FRCBD) with three replications. There were two factors, in which first factor with four levels of coloured plastic mulches and second factor with five levels of botanicals spray. From the present study, it was found that the treatment comprising of silver plastic mulch along with foliar spray of Azadirachta indica leaf extract (5 %) were found most effective in increasing plant height (117.81 cm) at final harvest, number of branches per plant (4.57), total leaf chlorophyll content (37.99 mg/ 100g) and leaf area index (3.03) over other treatments. It might be recommended for the terai region of West Bengal.

Keywords

Azadirachta indica, Botanicals, Growth, Plastic mulch, Okra

Conclusion

From the above findings, it is concluded that the treatment comprising of silver plastic mulch along with foliar spray of Azadirachta indica leaf extract (M2B1) found most effective in increasing plant height, number of branches per plant, total leaf chlorophyll content and leaf area index of okra over other treatments. Therefore, the cultivation of okra using silver plastic mulch along with foliar spray of Azadirachta indica leaf extract might be recommended for the terai region of West Bengal.

References

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How to cite this article

Sindhu V, Ram Krishna Sarkar, Suprava Biswal, Ankita Debnath and Safal Rai (2023). Effect of Plastic Mulches and Botanicals on Growth and Physiological Attributes of Okra. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8a): 332-336.