Effect of Intra Row Spacing and Variety on the Growth and Yield of Okra (abelmescus Esculentus (l) Moench) in Hadejia Jigawa State Nigeria

Okra (Abelmuschus esculentus L. Moench) is a vital vegetable crop grown widely in tropical and subtropical regions for its nutritional and economic significance. This study investigated the effect of intra-row spacing and variety on the growth and yield of okra. The experiment was conducted during the 2024 growing season at the Teaching and Research Farm of Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic Hadejia, Jigawa state coordinates 12.4572oN 10.0408°E., using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Two okra varieties (e.g., Clemson Spineless and Yar'balle) and four intra-row spacing treatments (10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm) were evaluated for their impact on growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter) and yield components (pod length, pod weight, and total yield per hectare). The results showed significant differences in growth and yield attributes among the intra-row spacing and variety treatments. Wider spacing (30 cm and 40 cm) promoted better growth parameters due to reduced competition for nutrients and light. However, narrower spacing (10 cm and 20 cm) resulted in higher yield per hectare, indicating a trade-off between individual plant growth and overall yield. Among the varieties, Clemson Spineless outperformed Yar'balle in both growth and yield metrics. The interaction between variety and intra-row spacing was also significant, with Clemson Spineless at 20 cm spacing achieving the highest yield. These findings suggest that selecting the appropriate variety and optimizing intra-row spacing are critical for enhancing okra productivity. The study recommends 20 cm intra-row spacing for farmers aiming for higher yield in commercial okra production, particularly when using high-performing varieties like Clemson Spineless. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of these practices under varying environmental conditions.