EFFECT OF POLLINATORS ON YIELD CHARACTERISTICS OF DiFFERENT VARIETIES OF OKRA

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the field of Sher-e-I3angla Agricultural University (SAU) during May to September, 2011 in kharif season with a view to find out the contribution of pollinators on yield contributing characteristics and yield of different varieties of okra. The experimental treatments included four okra varieties (V1: Metal; V2: BARI dherosh 2; V3: Munmun 45 and V4: Sarosh). Four different treatments were used to find out the effect of pollinators on okra yield [Ti: Flowers bagged with net with medium mesh; T2: Flowers bagged with net with very small mesh; T3: Flowers bagged with net and Vaseline rubbed at the bottom of peduncle and T4: Flower without net (contol)]. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The plant height, plant girth, branches per plant, leaf per plant, leaf length and leaf breadth was measured at 30. 45 and 60 DAS. Days to first flowering and days to edible maturity were recorded by calculating the number of days required from sowing to the flowering and edible stage of fruit. Pod length, pod diameter, pods per plant and pod yield was calculated after harvesting of fruit. Significant differences were observed for pods per plant and pod yield. The variety Munmun 45 produced highest pods per plant (41) and pod yield per hectare (11.23 t). Invertebrate pollinators were observed to find out the effective pollinations for okra. Insects of different order such as Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera were found during the flowering period. Insects of 1-lymenoptera order were the major pollinators, visiting okra flowers and peak of foraging activity was found during 9-1 I am which increased the highest number of fruit setting (26), number of seeds per plant (47) and germination percentage (92%) in Munmun 45 variety. These results suggest that growth and yield of okra are variable in different varieties and pollinator 1-lymenoptera increase the okra fruit yield under this climatic and edaphic condition of SAU.