Search

Intercropping system of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is becoming popular among farmers in Nigeria, but there is little or no information on the appropriate row ratio for intercropping rice with okra. A field experiment was therefore conducted from 2015 to 2017 at Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ikole Teaching and Research Farm to investigate the appropriate row ratio and compatibility of upland rice varieties (NERICA 7 and NERICA 8) and the farmers' rice Igbemo (Local) intercropped with okra (NHAe47-4). The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. The treatments consisted of sole-crop rice, sole-crop okra, two rows of rice to one row of okra (2:1), three rows of rice to one row of okra (3:1), and four rows of rice to one row of okra (4:1). Analysis of variance showed a significant influence of planting ratios on yield and yield components of rice varieties of rice/okra intercropping. Sole rice had significantly (P < 0.01) fewer grains per panicle, and lower panicle weight, grain weight and grain yield compared with intercropping ratios of 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1. The 4:1 ratio had significantly (P < 0.01) higher grain weight and yield of rice than 3:1 and 2:1 ratios. Intercropping system with four rows of rice to one row of okra gave the highest yield of rice; and was, therefore, recommended to farmers engaged in intercropping upland rice and okra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] landraces found in Nigeria are being examined as sources of genetic variation offering potential to improve agro-morpho-nutritional traits and broaden the gene pool. Objectives of this investigation were to: (1) assess variability of agro-morpho-nutritional traits in okra landraces sourced from five agroecological zones in Nigeria, and (2) estimate divergence among the germplasm. The landraces were evaluated in field experiments over a period of 2 years at the research farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and Mahalanobis D 2 statistics were employed to study the diversity pattern. Differences existed for all evaluated traits among landraces. Genotypes NGB00378b, NGB00297, NGB00347, NGB00293, and NGB00350 combined high seed mineral concentrations with high yield potential. A genotype × year interaction was present, as reflected by relatively low broad-sense heritability (<30%) and genetic advance (GA) (<10%) for pod yield and pod width (PDW), which limits potential for improvement. Heterosis breeding could be effectively used to improve K and Mg, as these traits expressed high variation and broad-sense heritability coupled with moderate GA. Using D2 divergence analysis, landraces were separated into seven distinct clusters, with no phylo–agroecological pattern of diversity. Based on the present study, selection for a trait in 1 year may not provide the same benefit in other years due to year-to-year fluctuations in environmental conditions, evaluation in more than 1 year is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competition between plants affects fruit and seed yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentusL. Moench). An experiment was conducted in a tropical rainforest zone with plant populations from 33,333 to 111,111 plants·ha−1to assess plant development, fruit size, and okra seed yields. Plant stem height and diameter were not affected. The 33,333 plants·ha−1population had more leaves/plant and higher average leaf area. Leaf area index (LAI) was highest (1.7) at the 55,555 plants·ha−1population. Okra fresh fruit yields (6.4 to 7.6 Mt·ha−1) were similar at all populations. The lowest population had a comparable yield due to greater fruit size; the high population had more small-sized fruit. Average seed yield was linearly related to plant population. There was 3.4 to 5.9 Mt·ha−1of seed produced. An income return of 7 to 12 times can be made from cultivating okra for seed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The absence of market integration has important implications for market efficiency. An integrated vegetable market will permit low spatial and intertemporal variation in prices, implying that commodity market prices will be functionally related. Vegetables are important sources of nutrients and income. The study assessed market integration between urban and rural markets ofAmaranthus cruentusL,Corchorus olitoriusL, and okra [Abelmoschus esculentus(L.) Moench] in South-western Nigeria. Data on monthly prices from 2004 to 2009 was collected from the Oyo State, Nigeria, Agricultural Development Project. Data were analyzed using augmented Dicker-Fuller and Granger causality tests and the index of market connection (IMC). Prices ofA.cruentusandC.olitoriuswere stationary at its level, and the price of okra was stationary by the first difference. Johansen co-integration analysis indicated that rural and urban vegetable market prices are co-integrated and form part of the same market, indicating a flow of market price information. The Granger causality test suggested that urban and rural prices ofCorchorushave a causal relationship. Rural okra andC.olitoriusexhibited a bidirectional causal relationship. The IMCs forAmaranthus,Corchorus, and okra were 0.64, 0.26, and 3.32, respectively, indicating thatAmaranthusandCorchorusmarkets exhibit high short-run market integration, whereas okra exhibited low short-run market integration. There is quick transmission of prices between urban and rural markets forAmaranthusandCorchorus, whereas there is slow transmission of prices between urban and rural markets for okra because the flow of information regarding okra prices is not efficient. The policy implication of the study is that market price information should be made available to farmers through various agricultural programs and a market infrastructure including transportation and communication facilities should be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]