Effect of NPK Fertilizer Rates and Method of Application on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of NPK fertilizer application rates and method of application on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ado-Ekiti. Okra seed variety LD88 were treated to three levels of NPK fertilizer rates (0, 150 and 450 kg NPK ha 1) and 2 methods of fertilizer application (ring and band method). Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with fertilizer application method as main plot factor and NPK rates as sub-plot factor. The treatments were replicated three times to give a total of eighteen experimental field plots. The result indicated that the fertilizer NPK significantly increase growth parameters (plant height, leaf area, root length, number of leaves), yield and yield components with optimum yield of okra obtained at 150 NPK kg ha 1 and ring method of application seems appropriate for okra production.