Effect of Spacing and Ratooning on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Var. Lal Bhendi No. 533

The experiment was laid down in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with nine treatment combinations and four replications during year 2023. The experiment consists of two factors, factor A: Spacings (S1- 60 cm x 30 cm, S2- 90 cm x 30 cm and S3- 120 cm x 30 cm) and factor B: Stages of ratooning (R1- Ratooning at 90 DAS, R2- Ratooning at 105 DAS and R3- No ratooning). Among the three spacings, 120 cm x 30 cm (S3) revealed higher values for growth parameters such as number of leaves (33.96), nodes (17.25), branches (1.42), yield parameters like number of fruits (24.37), yield per plant (304.31 g). The highest yield per hectare (15.07 t/ha) was obtained under closer spacing S1 - 60 cm x 30 cm. Among various ratooning treatments, number of fruits (25.33), yield per plant (315.98 g) and total yield (12.51 t/ha) was significantly higher in control (R3-No ratooning), the number of fruits (22.93), yield per plant (277.54 g) and total yield (10.99 t/ha) was greater in R1 than R2. Among ratooning treatment, R1 was better than R2 in terms of growth and yield characters. In interaction, spacing of 120 cm x 30 cm without ratooning (S3R3) was found better with respect to growth and yield of okra, whereas overall yield per hectare (16.53 t/ha) was greater in (S1R3) spacing 60 cm x 30 cm without ratooning. The data recorded in present investigation revealed that spacing and ratooning influenced the growth and yield parameters of okra. Thus, considering the yield of okra, spacing of 60 cm x 30 cm without ratooning found to be beneficial for Konkan agro-climatic conditions.