Assessing the Effect of Pinching on Growth and Yield of Okra [abelmoschus Esculentus (l.) Moench] at Sokoto.

ABSTRACT
Field trial was carried out during the 2024 rainy season at the Fruits and Vegetables Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sotoko, to study the effect of pinching on the growth and yield of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Monech] varieties. The experiment consisted of factorial combination of four okra varieties (NHAR 74-4, Maha F1, NHAR 47-4 and Croci) and two pinching levels (Pinching and no pinching). The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Data were collected on the growth and yield of the crop.

The results obtained revealed that Croci variety was higher in plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, and fruit diameter. Croci, NHAR 74-4, and NHAR 47-4 varieties took longer days to flowering. NHAR 74-4 and NHAR 47-4 varieties were higher in fruit length. NHAR 74-4 variety was higher in leaf area and leaf area index. NHAR 74-4 and Maha F1 varieties were higher in number of fruits per plant. Maha F1 variety was higher in fruit yield per hectare. Pinching treatments were better than no pinching treatments in all the parameters measured except in number of days to 50% flowering and number of leaves per plant. Based on the findings of this study, it could be concluded that among the varieties tested, Maha F1 performed best in the study area in terms of yield. Application of pinching was better than no pinching in the study area.