EFFECT OF PLANT GEOMETRY AND NUTRITION ON THE GROWTH ATTRIB- UTES OF OKRA [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] CV. PUSA SAWANI Shravan Kumar and J. P. Singh* Department of Horticulture, C.S.A.U. A. & T., Kanpur *E-mail: ab05aug@gmail.com ABSTRACT : The investigations were carried out with an objective to asses the effect of plant geometry and nutrition on the growth attributes of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] at the Department of Horticulture, C.S.A.U.A. & T., Kanpur during rainy season of two consecutive years. The experiment comprised of four levels of nitrogen (0,60, 90 and 120 Kg ha 1 - ), three levels of phosphorus (0,60 and 90 Kg ha 1 - ) and two levels of plant spacing (30 x 40 and 40 x 40 cm) in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications Application of 120 kg nitrogen ha 1 - caused to produce highest plant height (118.73 and 127.26 cm), number of leaves/plant (16.64 and 17.98), diameter of main shoot (2.38 and 2.46 cm), number of nodes per plant (14.88 and 16.79), fresh weight per plant (153.47 and 155.80 g), and dry matter percentage (22.71 and 17.83%), whereas 90 Kg N ha 1 - revealed highest leaf area per plant (784.13 and 795.12 cm 2 ) and control (N ) 0 showed maximum dry weight percentage (24.09 and 19.65%) during both years of trials. Phosphorus @ 90 kg ha 1 - showed highest plant height (112.93 and 117.94 cm), number of green leaves per plant (13.12 and 14.40), number of nodes per plant (12.22 and 14.05), diameters of main shoot (1.93 and 2.02 cm), leaf area (784.85 and 795.43 cm 2 ) and fresh weight per plant (149.55 and 151.51 g), but highest dry matter percentage 27.79% and 18.65% were found in 0 kg phosphorus ha 1 - in first year and 60 kg phosphorus ha 1 - during second year of investigation. 40 x 40 cm spacing caused to show highest plant height (112.39 and 117.33 cm), number of green leaves (12.27 and 13.36), number of nodes per plant (11.48 and 13.40), diameter of main shoot (1.91 and 1.98 cm), leaf area per plant (753.37 and 764.72 cm 2 ), fresh weight per plant (145.19 and 147.36 g) and dry matter percentage (24.99 and 18.44%) during both the years. Keywords : Nitrogen, phosphorus, plant geometry, leaf area, dry weight. Okra is an annual vegetable crop grown in tropical as well as sub-tropical regions. It is native of South Africa or Asia and belongs to family Malvaceae. Okra is sensitive to frost and extremely low temperature and for better growth and development a temperature between 24-28°C is preferred. Due to high iodine content, fruit help to control goiter while leaves are used in inflammation and dysentery. The fruits also help in renal colic, leucorrhoea and general weakness. Fruits are rich in carbohydrates, protein several minerals like sulphur, phosphorus, calcium and many vitamins. Nitrogen, phosphorus plant density is important factors which are effecting to increase growth attributes and yield of okra. High plant density affects the yield directly by accommodation of greater number of plants and suppressing weed populations. In view of above beneficial facts research was therefore, conducted to study the effect of plant geometry and nutrition on the growth attributes of Okra. MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiment was conducted in the garden of the Department of Horticulture, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur during the rainy season of two consecutive years, 2003 and 2004. The soil of experimental field was of moderate fertility with pH of 7.60. The study comprised four levels of nitrogen (N ,N ,N 0 60 90 and and N 120 kg ha -1 ), Three levels of phosphorus (P , P 0 60 and P 90 Kg ha -1 ) and with two plant geometry (30x40 and 40 x 40 cm). Thus there were 24 treatments replicated thrice in Randomized Block Design. Certified seeds of okra cv. Pusa Sawani was obtained from Vegetable Research Station Kalyanpur, Kanpur. The N, P and K estimations of soil were made prior to experimentation. The plots were treated with 10% BHC dust @ 25 kg ha -1 before sowing to prevent the menace of termites. Application of manures and fertilizers were done as per recommendation. The doses of nitrogen as per the treatment were supplied through Urea. Phosphorus and potash were applied through single super phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively through basal dressing. Half of N as per treatment was given as basal dressing prior to sowing and remaining half dose was given after one month of sowing as top dressing. Other intercultural operations were done as and when www.hortflorajournal.com HortFlora Research Spectrum, 4(2): 144-149 (June 2015) ISSN : 2250-2823 Received : 27-04-2015 Accepted : 18-05-2015 Author's Copy Journal's International Impact: ICV: 27.39; GIF: 0.364; IBI Factor: 2.8; NJIF: 2.14