Description
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background of the Study
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L). Moench) is one of the well known vegetable crop of the
family Malvaceae and originated from tropical America and first cultivated in Egypt in 12th
century (Maurya et al., 2013). Okra is cultivated mostly in tropics, subtropics and some
warmer temperate region (Farinde et al., 2007). The fruits are used in making soup, salad and
consumed as vegetables. Okra mucilage has medicinal value it expands blood volume, it
binds cholesterol and bile acids carrying toxins and deposit into liver (Gemede et al.,
2015).Okra seed is source of protein, oil and can be use as non caffeinated substitute for
coffee (Calisir et al., 2005). Okra is one of the most important vegetable crop of Nepal
widely cultivated in Jhapa, Morang, Saptari, Bara, chitwan, Rautahat, kailali and Dhanusa.
Total production of okra across the country will be 122,101.6 metric tons under the area of
10,781.4ha with the productivity of 11.3t/ha (MoAD, 2015-2016).
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an important vegetable grown in Nigeria and
ranks third in production area following tomato and onion (Grubben, 1999). In the country,
farmers intercrop root and tubers, cereals and legumes with vegetable crops, particularly
okra. Over 60 % of okra grown in the country is produced under intercropping (Iken and
Amusa, 2004).
Adequate plant density achieved by maintaining narrow spacing resulted into efficient light
interception which increases organic matter and yield of Okra (Asiegbu, 2012). For obtaining
optimum growth and yield, Okra should be cultivated maintaining plant population of 55,555
okra plant/ha (Agba et al., 2011). Thus the objective of this experiment is to find out the
different types of mulching along with efficacy of Lantana camara and appropriate spacing
for the higher yield of the okra crop.