INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Okra or Ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a warm season

vegetable that grows well in most texas soil. A fair source of vitamin A, it

can be eaten in many ways, including boiled, fried, and cooked in soup,

gumbos, and casseroles. For good yields, okra must grow in full sunlight

in fertile, well-drained soil (Masabni, 2014).

Okra also called lady's fingers, gumbo or bhindi, is a traditional

vegetable crop well known for its robust nature. Okra pods are a rich

source of dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins. They contain important

amounts of iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium, vitamins A, B, C

and K, as well as folates and very high levels of antioxidants such as

xanthin and lutein (Shafleitner et al., 2013).

Okra belong to high valued crops because of its many uses; it is

good for digestion and fever and it’s very much affordable to all. Okra is

one of the popular and common vegetable in the market it is

indispensable component of Filipino dish pinakbet (Kumar, 2013).

Okra is one of the most widely known vegetable crops in tropical

and subtropical countries, such as Taiwan, Thailand, and India (Singh et

al., 2014).

It is native to the tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere and is widely

cultivated or naturalized in the tropics and subtropics of the Western

Hemisphere.
 Only the tender unripe fruit is eaten. As a vegetable, okra may be

prepared like asparagus, sauteed, or pickled, and it is also an ingredient

in various stews and in the gumbos of the southern United States; the

large amount of mucilage (gelatinous substance) it contains makes it

useful as a thickener for broths and soups. In some countries the seeds

are used as a substitute for coffee. The leaves and immature fruit long

have been popular in the East for use in poultices to relieve pain

(Brennan, 2020).

Hence, this study will be designed to assess the effect of organic

fertilizer on the growth and yield performance of different hybrid varieties

of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) applied with different animal

manure under Bunawan condition.

Objectives of the Study

Generally, this study will be conducted to evaluate the growth and

yield performance of ladies finger applied with different animal manure.

Specifically, it aims to:

1. determine the growth performance of Ladies finger applied with

different animal manure;

2. determine the yield performance of Ladies finger applied with

different animal manure;

3. calculate the cost and return analysis of Ladies finger applied with

different animal manure.

 Significance of the Study

This study will be used as a guide to the farmers in Okra

production. Furthermore, this study will serve as reference to other

researcher who study more about okra production.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study will be delimited only on the growth and yield

performance of ladies finger applied with different animal manure.

Time and Place of the Study

This study will be conducted from May to August 2022 at the

Vegetable Area Production of Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture

and Technology (ASSCAT).

Operational Definition of Terms

Fertilization is the application of the materials containing plant

nutrients to soil to adjust its chemical fertility.

Fertilizer is a one material that is added to increase plant growth.

Flowering is the beginning of the development of the fruit that contains

reproductive structure.

Growth is the process of growing and developing the size of ladies finger.

Harvesting refers to the season when the ladies finger is harvested from

field.
Manure is the decomposed form of dead plants and animal, which is

applied tso the soil to increase production.

Okra is the one of the most popular fruit vegetables grown in wet,

intermediate and dry zone.

Response is an action or movement due to application of organic fertilizer

in ladies finger.

Seed is a plant part produced by the sexual reproduction that contains

the embryo and gives rise to a new individual.

Yield measure of the output per unit area of land under okra cultivation.
 Conceptual Framework of the Study

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Treatments A. Growth Parameters

1. Plant Height (cm)
A – Hybrid Varieties 2. Number of days to fruit
flowering setting
A1 – Smooth Green 3. Number of days to fruit
setting
A2 – Camiling Smooth 4. Number of leaves
5. Number of fruits per plant
B – Organic Fertilizers 6. Number of fruits per plot
7. Length of fruits (cm)
B1 – Cattle Manure
B. Yield Parameters
B2 – Rabbit Manure
1. Fruit diameter (mm)
B3 – Chicken Manure 2. Weight of Harvested fruit
per hill (g)
B4 – Vermicast 3. Return on investment

C. Physiological
1. Leaf area index
2. Chlorophyll meter index

D. Cost and Return Analysis

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study

Figure 1 shows the independent and dependent variables of the

study. Independent variables include different type of poultry manure.

The dependent variables include the growth parameter of okra. It is

composed of the plant height (cm), number of days to flower setting,

number of the days to fruit setting, number of leaves. Length of fruits

(cm), fruit diameter, weight of harvested fruit per hill (g) percentage

survival (%) and return of investment.

 Animal Manure application can increase soil organic matter in

medium long term application periods. Consequently, manure contributes

to reducing soil bulk density and compaction, as well as increasing soil

aggregate stability, water infiltration and retention. Taken together,

manure helps reduce erosion, ponding and crop stress (Olivo, 2019).
 REVIEW AND RELATED LITERATURE

Distribution of Okra

Okra is an economically important vegetable crop grown in tropical

and sub-tropical parts of the world. This paper aimed to review nutritional

quality and potential health benefits of edible parts of Okra. Okra is a

multipurpose crop due to the various uses of the fresh leaves, buds,

flowers, pods, stems and seeds. Okra immature fruits, which are

consumed as vegetables, can be used in salads, soups and stews, fresh or

dried, fried or boiled. It offers mucilaginous consistency after cooking.

Often the extract obtained from the fruit is added to different recipes like

stews and sauces to increase the consistency. Okra mucilage has

medicinal applications when used as a plasma replacement or blood

volume expander (Gemede et al., 2014).

Okra can be beneficial in treating asthma due to its high vitamin C

content. The vitamin acts as a remedy for inflammation, due to which

reason it can be applied for asthma. According to a preliminary research

on children suffering from asthma, there is much less stertor in those

who consume fruits with high vitamin C concentration. Half a cup of

processed okra contains more than 13 mg of this vitamin (Jain, 2012).

Okra is a popular vegetable crop with good nutritional significance,

along with certain therapeutic values, which makes it a potential

candidate in the use of a variety of nutraceuticals. Different parts of the

okra fruit (mucilage, seed, and pods) contain certain important bioactive
components, which confer its medicinal properties. The phytochemicals of

okra have been studied for their potential therapeutic activities on various

chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular, and digestive

diseases, as well as the antifatigue effect, liver detoxification,

antibacterial, and chemo-preventive activities. Moreover, okra mucilage

has been widely used in medicinal applications such as a plasma

replacement or blood volume expanders. Overall, okra is considered to be

an easily available, low-cost vegetable crop with various nutritional values

and potential health benefits (Elkhalifa et al., 2021).

Importance and Benefits of Okra

Importance

Okra is low in calories but packed full of nutrients. The vitamin C

in okra helps support healthy immune function. Okra is also rich in

vitamin K, which helps your body clot blood. Okra is a flowering plant

with edible seed pods. It grows best in warm climates and is often

cultivated in Africa and South Asia. Okra is rich in many nutrients and

particularly high in vitamins C and K. This fruit is unique, as it provides

protein, a nutrient that many other fruits and vegetables lack (Rizzo,

2019).
 Benefits

Okra, also known as gumbo or ladies’ fingers, is a warm-season

vegetable. It is a good source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and

fiber. It contains a sticky juice that people use to thicken sauces. A diet

rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce a person’s chances of developing

a range of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes and

cardiovascular disease (Ware, 2019).

Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizers are naturally available mineral sources that

contain moderate amount of plant essential nutrients. They are capable of

mitigating problems associated with synthetic fertilizers. They reduce the

necessity of repeated application of synthetic fertilizers to maintain soil

fertility (Hitha, 2021).

Animal Manure

Animal manure can be an asset rather than a liability for producers

when effectively managed and properly used on field crops. Besides

providing valuable macro- and micronutrients to the soil, manure

supplies organic matter to improve the soil’s physical and chemical

properties. It also increases infiltration of water and enhances retention of

nutrients, reduces wind and water erosion, and promotes growth of

beneficial organisms. Nutrients in animal manure may be lost or

converted to other forms during treatment or storage and handling,

affecting their availability for use by growing plants. The type of animal

housing system and/or waste handling method is known to affect the

final nutrient composition of the manure (Zhang, 2017).

Cattle Manure

Cattle manure is basically made up of digested grass and grain.

Cow dung is high in organic materials and rich in nutrients. It contains

about 3 percent Nitrogen, 2 percent phosphorus, and 1 percent

potassium (3-2-1 NPK). Cow manure contains high levels of ammonia and

potentially dangerous pathogens. Composting cow manure fertilizer

makes an excellent growing medium for garden plants. Cow manure

becomes a nutrient-rich fertilizer. It can be mixed into the soil or used as

top dressing (Tilley, 2021).

Rabbit Manure

Rabbit manure comes in dry, compact pellets that are easy to work

with. Rabbit fertilizer has more nutrients than other livestock leavings,

such as chicken or horse poop. It doesn’t have a strong odor, so it’s a

great option for urban neighborhood. Rabbit manure is high in nitrogen

and phosphorus. Its doesn’t burn plants like some fertilizers because it

breaks down quickly. Rabbit manure is dry and doesn’t contains as much

ammonia or uric acids as many other manures, such as cow and pig.
Fresh rabbit manure is approximately 2% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus, and

1% potassium (Vanorio, 2016).

Chicken Manure

Chicken manure is dangerous to plant if the manure has not been

properly composted. Raw chicken manure fertilizer can burn, and even

kill plants. Composting chicken manure mellows the nitrogen and makes

the manure suitable for the garden (Rhoades, 2015). Chicken manure N-

P-K ratio ranges from 3-2.5-1.5 to 6-4-3 (Staff, 2004). What comes out of

a chicken coop isn’t simply fecal matter. It also consists of urine, feather,

undigested food and coop bedding material. Composting decomposes

these materials into a form that is good for plants (Anderson, 2010).

Vermicast

Vermicast is an organic by-product of the composting activities of

earthworms. Placing earthworms in a pile of compost allows them to

make their way through the food and excrete vermicast. Vermicast

enriches the soil and helps to ensure that plants receive all the nutrients

they need to grow successfully. 

 METHODOLOGY

Experimental Design and Treatments

The experiment will be laid out using 2 x 4 Factorial in Randomized

Complete Block Design (RCBD) with Factor A as Hybrid Okra varieties

and Factor B as organic fertlizers. Each treatment combination will

consist of 15 sample plants replicated of three (3) times with a total of

three hundred sixty (360) sample okra plants.

The treatments will be as follow;

Factor A – Hybrid Okra

A1 – Smooth Green

A2 – Camiling Smooth

Factor B – Organic Fertilizer

B1 – Recommended Rate of Cattle Manure

B2 – Recommended Rate of Rabbit Manure

B3 – Recommended Rate Chicken Manure

B4 – Vermicast
 Rep I Rep II Rep II

A2 B1 A1 B1 A1 B4

A2 B2 A1 B2 A2 B4

A2 B3 A2 B3 A2 B3

A1 B1 A2 B1 A1 B1

A1 B2 A2 B2 A1 B2

A1 B3 A2 B4 A1 B3

A1 B4 A1 B3 A2 B1

A2 B4 A1 B4 A2 B2

Figure 2. Experimental Layout in Factorial RCBD

Soil Sampling and Analysis

Soil sampling will be done before and after the conduct of the study.

The soil samples will be collected and air dried. It will be brought to soil

laboratory of the Department of Agriculture at Brgy. Taguibo, Butuan

City.

Nutrient Analysis of Organic fertilizer

Organic fertilizers sampling will be done before the study will be

conducted. The organic fertilizer will be collected at Agusan del Sur State

College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT). Air dried samples will be

submitted to the Regional Soil Laboratory Taguibo, Butuan City for

Analysis.

Procurement of Seeds and Organic Fertilizer

The okra seeds will be purchased at Diwata farm supply at San

Francisco, Agusan del Sur while the organic fertilizers will be collected at

Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT).

Bunawan Agusan del Sur.

Preparation of Experimental Field

The experimental field measures 12m x 32m or 408m 2 will be

thoroughly prepared by clearing and establishing using digging tools and

shovel, plowing once and harrowing twice will be administered. Space

rows measures 75cm apart, seeds will be planted 1 inch deep and 75cm

apart within a row.

Planting

Okra seeds will be planted in a thoroughly prepared area at a

distance of about 75cm per hill and 75cm apart per row. Two seeds will

be planted per treatment per replication. Ten days after planting, thinning

will be done to remove excess germinated seeds until only one healthy

plant will be left.

 Application of Treatments

The organic fertilizers will be applied using basal method of

application. The application of these will be based on the treatments to be

used during planting. On the other hand, all applications will be based on

the results of the nutrient analysis for each treatment.

Care and Maintenance

All treatments will be given uniform cultural practices such as

cultivation, watering, weeding, control of insect pest and diseases.

Insecticides and fungicides will be sprayed whenever necessary if there

will be infestation and occurence of diseases.

Harvesting

The okra plants will be harvested after 3 months from planting, and

when it reaches the horticultural maturity and marketable size. Okra

pods usually require 4 to 6 days after flowering to enlarge into a

marketable size product. Okra should be harvested when the fruit is

bright green and when the pods are 7.5 cm to 12.5 cm or 3 to 4 inches

long which depends if it is still palatable.

 Data to be Gathered

A. Growth Parameters

1. Plant Height Increment (cm). This data will be obtained by

measuring the plant height increment every month from the base of

the plant up to the tallest vertical height of the plant using tape

measure or meter stick.

2. Stem Diameter Increment (cm). This data will be determined by

measuring the stem diameter increment per month of the plant

using digital vernier caliper.

3. Number of Days to Fruit Setting. This data will be determined by

counting the days to fruit setting until it reach 85% to 100%.

4. Number of Leaves. This data will be determined by counting the

leaves of the plants during the harvest termination time.

5. Number of Fruits per Plant. This data will be determined by counting

the number of harvested fruits per plant.

6. Number of Fruits per Plot. This data will be determined by counting the

number of harvested fruits per plot.

B. Physiological Data Area

1. Leaf Area Index. Is a measurement of development of canopy at a

given time. It can be quantified by formula.

[Leaf Area ( m ) ]
2
LAI¿
[Ground Cover ( m ) ]
2
 2. Chlorophyll Meter Index. This data will be taken every month by

measuring the leaf of the okra by using chlorophyll meter.

C. Yield Parameters

1. Length of Fruits (cm). This data will be obtained by measuring the

length of fruits using ruler.

2. Diameter of Fruits (mm). This data will be obtained by measuring

the diameter of the broadest part of the okra fruit using digital

vernier caliper.

3. Number of Marketable Fruits. This data will be determined by

counting the number of marketable okra fruits harvested.

4. Weight of Fruits (g). This data will be obtained by weighing every

piece of harvested okra fruit using digital weighing scale.

5. Weight of Fruits per Plot. ). This data will be obtained by weighing

all the harvested okra fruit per plot using digital weighing scale.

D. Cost and Return Analysis. This data will be obtained by using the

formula below:

The cost of organic fertilizer insecticides, labor and other expenses

including the sales of the study will be recorded. All cost and sales by

treatment will be computed to determine the viability of the study.

Net Income
R . O. I .= x 100
Initial Investment
 Statistical Treatment

All data of the study will be organized and analyzed statistically

using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in Randomized Complete Block

Design (RCBD). The Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) will be used to

test the difference among the treatment means.

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