Evaluation of different okra varieties under Ailanthus excelsa based silvi-horticulture system

Abstract

In order to assess the growth and productivity of okra varieties under Ailanthus excelsa-based silvi-horticulture system, a field experiment was carried out at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India. Four okra varieties (Navsari okra, Ajeet, Roshni and Sona-55, denoted as V1, V2, V3 and V4, respectively) were sown beneath A. excelsa and in open conditions. The experiment was designed in a randomized block design with four replications. The experiment’s findings revealed that the marketable fruits plant-1, marketable fruit yield plant-1, marketable fruit production ha-1, collar diameter, branches plant-1, plant fresh and dry weight plant-1 and ha-1 of all okra varieties were maximum under the sole crop (control) except plant height and fruit length. In respect to productivity, the reduction order of marketable fruit yield ha-1 of different varieties under A. excelsa was: Navsari okra (7.59 t) > Ajeet (7.08 t) > Sona-55 (5.35 t) > Roshni (5.21 t). While in open condition was: Ajeet (11.71 t) > Navsari okra (10.53 t) > Roshni (10.30 t) > Sona-55 (9.61 t). Therefore, among the different varieties, Navsari Okra (V1) performed better under A. excelsa as compared to other okra varieties, but Ajeet variety (V2) performed well in open conditions. Consequently, the Navsari okra variety (V1) can withstand more shade and aids farmers in increasing their revenue by following the A. excelsa-based silvi-horticulture system.