Abstract

                                The present investigation was undertaken at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam during rabi season of 2017-18 in Alfisols with a main objective of evaluating the effect of IPNS and foliar nutrition on yield and quality of okra fruits COBhH –4 . The thirteen treatments comprised of absolute control, STCR-IPNS alone, 100 per cent N through FYM alone and in combination with foliar spray of micronutrients, moringa leaf extract, aloe vera leaf extract and amino acids. The treatment received STCR - IPNS + amino acids (50 ppm)+ micronutrients (Fe, 1.0%, Zn, 0.5% & B, 0.3%) + aloe vera leaf extract (50 ppm) + moringa leaf extract (50 ppm) (Foliar Spray) recorded higher values of yield parameters viz., no. of fruits per plant (25.0), no. of pickings (18.7), fruit length (18.7 cm), fruit girth (2.50 cm) and fruit yield (24.24 t ha^-1). The same treatment recorded higher crude protein content (18.19%) and ascorbic acid (13.66 mg/100g) whereas higher TSS (2.73%) and mucilage (1.74%) content of okra fruits were recorded by the treatment receiving FYM + foliar spray of amino acids, micronutrients, moringa and aloe vera leaf extracts compared to control. Both the treatments STCR-IPNS and 100 per cent N through FYM in combination with foliar spray of micronutrients, moringa leaf extract, aloe vera leaf extract and amino acids recorded lower values of days to 50 % per cent flowering (38.6 and 38.7) and days to fruit maturity (39.60 and 39.30) respectively. The per cent fruit yield increase over control was 136 and 125 per cent respectively, for STCR-IPNS and FYM both in combination with amino acids + micro nuttrients + aloe vera + moringa leaf extract as foliar spray. The effect of micronutrients as foliar along with STCR-IPNS was the next best treatment. The highest BCR of 5.27 was recorded by STCR-IPNS with foliar spray of micronutrients, moringa leaf extract, aloe vera leaf extract and amino acids followed by 4.92 by STCR IPNS with foliar spray of moringa leaf extract (T₁₀).

Key words : STCR – IPNS, FYM, Foliar nutrition, Okra, Performance, Alfisol