Effect of Sowing Dates and Plant Geometry on Growth and Yield of Okra Cv.PARBHANI KRANTIAND PUSA A-4

The present investigation was carried out in rainy season during 2009 and 2010 at Research Farm and Seed Testing Laboratory of Gochar Mahavidyalaya, Rampur Maniharan, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh with a view to study the influence of sowing time and plant geometry on plant growth and yield of okra. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with three replications and four dates of sowing in each season viz., 10 June, 24 June, 8 July and 22 July 2009 and 2010 taken in main plots and three plant geometries viz., 60 x 30 cm, 60 x 45 cm and 60 x 60 cm in sub plots and two varieties viz., Parbhani Kranti and Pusa A-4 in sub-sub plots. The plant growth and vigour which was evident from greater plant height, pod development, seed size and yield obtained in the crop sown on 10th and 24th June. Seed yield is correlated with the performance of yield contributing attributes and a perusal of data pertaining to seed yield components viz. per cent fruit set, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod thickness, number of seeds per pod revealed that the environment was more favourable for okra seed production when the crop was sown on 10th June and 24th June which were found superior in seed yield and its components over rest of the sowing dates.