Abstract
Experiments to find out appropriate technology for the production of okra under hill slope condition of Bangladesh were conducted at Hill Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Khagrachari during May 2002 to December 2004. The studies covered different sowing time, plant spacing, plant nutrition, hill elevation, okra plant de- toping, hedgerow intercropping, tillage and mulching on the growth, yield and economic return of okra. The first experiment consisted of 4 sowing time (June, July, August and September) and 3 plant spacing (60x30, 60x40 and 60 x 50 cm2). The highest yield (12.86 t/ha) was recorded from July sowing with 60 x 30 cm2 spacing followed by June sowing with same spacing (12.63 t/ha). The second experiment consisted of 4 nitrogen levels (60, 80, 100 and 120 kg/ha N) and 3 phosphorus levels (80, 100 and 120 kg/ha P). Increased level of nitrogen and phosphorus increased the yield and yield components of okra. An application of 100 kg/ha N with 120 P kg/ha was found to be the best combination of N and P (19.22 t/ha) and economic return. The third experiment comprised of 4 hill elevations (0-5, 5-10, 10-15 and 15-20 m high) and 4 plant de-toping stage (Control, 3, 6 and 9 leaf stages). Maximum yield (17.07 t/ha) and economic return was obtained when okra was grown in 0-5 m hill elevation with three leaf stage de-toping. The fourth and fifth experiments were conducted under hedgerow intercropping system. The fourth experiment comprised 4 hedgerow species (Ipil-ipil, Indigofera, pigeonpea and pineapple) with control and 3 nitrogen levels (50, 75 and 100% N of recommended dose). Indigofera hedgerow produced the highest amount of biomass from pruning (35.7 t/ha). Among the treatment combinations, Indigofera hedgerow species with 100% N produced the most satisfactory yield (15.05 t/ha) which was statistically identical to same hedgerow with 75% N but higher BCR (2.70) was found from later one. In fifth experiment there were 3 alley size (3, 4 and 5 m width) and 3 hedgerow pruning interval (1, 2 and 3 month). In this experiment, 3 m wide alley with 1 month pruning interval of Indigofera appeared to be the best for okra production and the highest yield was 17.67 t/ha. The last experiment had 3 tillage practices (Spading, pit method and jhum system) and 3 mulching (No mulching, sun-grass and polyethylene). The highest yield (14.87 t/ha) was recorded from pit method planting with polyethylene mulching.