Influence of foliar application of humic and fulvic acids on yield and nutrient uptake by Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under different nutrient management practices

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to identify the optimal nutrient management practices and levels of humic and fulvic acids for better yield and nutrient uptake in Okra. The study was laid out in a split-split plot design with three mainplot treatments consisting of different nutrient management practices (inorganic farming-M1, organic farming-M2 andrecommended nutrient practice-M3), three subplot treatments of humic acid (0, 0.25 and 0.50%) and three sub-subplottreatments of fulvic acid (0, 0.10 and 0.25%) at college of Horticulture, UHS, Bagalkot. Observations viz., yield attributingparameters, yield and nutrient uptake were recorded. The results revealed that the treatment (M3H3F3) receiving recommendednutrient practice with foliar application of humic acid @ 0.50 per cent and fulvic acid @ 0.25 per cent significantly increasedyield and nutrient uptake in okra.The maximum number of fruits per plant (24.27), fruit length (14.94 cm), fruit weight perplant (314.62 g plant-1) and fruit yield (111.12 q ha-1) were recorded under this treatment. Similarly, the highest uptake ofnitrogen (143.85 kg ha-1), phosphorous (79.05 kg ha-1), potassium (204.75 kg ha-1) and sulphur (10.18 kg ha-1) was noticedunder the same treatment.Similar trends were noticed in both the seasons. The study suggests that integrating recommendednutrient practices with foliar application of humic and fulvic acids can enhance okra yield and nutrient uptake.