Title : Growth response of two okra varieties (Abelmoschus esculentus) under water deficit conditions
Abstract:
This study investigates the growth responses of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) varieties NHAR47-4 and F-1 Lucky under varying levels of water deficit over a 12-week period. To simulate drought stress, four distinct irrigation regimes were applied: daily watering (Day-1), watering every 2 days (Day-2), every 3 days (Day-3), and every 4 days (Day-4). Key growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and stem girth, were measured biweekly to evaluate the progression of plant development under each watering regime. The results demonstrated significant varietal differences in response to water stress. In the early stages of growth (weeks 2 and 4), both varieties exhibited similar performance across all measured parameters. However, from the sixth week onward, F-1 Lucky showed consistently superior growth compared to NHAR47-4, particularly under moderate drought conditions (Day-2 and Day-3). This indicates a stronger adaptability and resilience of F-1 Lucky to water-limited environments. Interestingly, contrary to some previous findings, both varieties recorded improved growth performance under mild to moderate water deficit conditions compared to the daily watering treatment. Parameters such as plant height, stem girth, leaf area, number of leaves, and pod yield were generally higher under the Day-2 and Day-3 regimes than in the fully irrigated (Day-1) condition. This suggests that periodic water stress may stimulate adaptive physiological responses that enhance growth and productivity in okra. Overall, the findings underscore the potential of optimizing irrigation frequency to improve water use efficiency without compromising yield. F-1 Lucky emerged as a more drought-tolerant variety, making it a promising candidate for cultivation in regions prone to water scarcity. These insights contribute valuable knowledge for sustainable okra production under changing climatic conditions and limited water availability.
