Effect of different potting media on the performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)
Abstract
The rising demand for high-yielding, space-efficient, and cost-effective agriculture in urban and peri-urban regions hasdriven interest in optimising lightweight potting media for sustainable cultivation of crops. This study aimed to provide ascientifically proven, lightweight, and affordable potting mixture for the growing of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Theexperiment was conducted in a polyhouse at the Banana Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, across fourcropping cycles over two years. The widely recognised Okra variety Anjitha was utilised for the experiment, employing aCompletely Randomised Design (CRD) containing 12 treatments with 10 replications for each treatment. The pooledanalysis indicated that T9 (195.12 cm) [Soil:Vermiculite:Perlite:Cowdung (2:1:1:2)] made the tallest plants.T11 (23.05fruits/plant, 39.93g/plant seed yield) [Sand:Vermiculite:Perlite:Cowdung (2:1:1:2)] emerged as the most productivetreatment, closely followed by T6 (22.98 fruits/plant, 39.32 g/plant seed yield) [Soil:Sand:Perlite:Cowdung( 2:1:1:2)] andT7 (22.70 fruits/plant, 39.20 g/plant seed yield) [Soil:Cocopeat:Vermiculite:Cowdung (2:1:1:2)]. A lightweight mediumcomposed of vermiculite, perlite, and cocopeat reduced the weight of the media while maintaining yield. T7(Cost ofmedia- rupees 10.20/pot) proved to be the most economical choice. These findings demonstrate improved potting mediafor sustainable okra cultivation.
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