World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 8 (5): 453-458, 2012 ISSN 1817-3047 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjas.2012.8.5.1660 Corresponding Author: U. Ibrahim, College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria. Tel: +08053663718, +08034374967. 453 Influence of Farmyard Manure and Weeding Regimes on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in Zaria U. Ibrahim and I.L. Hamma College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria Abstract: Field experiments were conducted during the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons to investigate the effect of farmyard manure and weeding regimes on the growth and yield of okra. The study was a factorial experiment laid out in split plot design, replicated three times. Farm yard manure was assigned as main plot treatments, while weeding regimes was assigned as sub plot treatments. Parameters measured included plant height, number of leaves plant , number of branches plant , leaf area plant , number of pods plant , pod yield plant 1 1 1 1 1 and pod yield ha . The results revealed that these parameters increased significantly with an increase in 1 treatments of both farmyard manure and weeding regimes. The significant increases were attributed to availability of nutrients as well as appropriate timing of weeding which reduced the negative influence of weeds in the field. Higher growth and yield parameters were observed in plots treated with 12 t ha of farmyard 1 manure and 3 weeding regimes. Therefore, application of 12 t ha of farmyard manure and 3 weeding regimes 1 which significantly enhanced growth and yield of okra is recommended to our farmers. Key words: Farmyard manure Weeding regimes Okra Growth Yield INTRODUCTION development of a sustainable cropping system and soil Okra (Abelmoschu esculentus L. Moench) is widely organic matter for optimum growth and yield of okra [7]. cultivated as a fruit vegetable found in almost every All crops and weeds have the same basic nutrient market in Nigeria and Africa [1]. It is usually grown on requirements, but differ in the way they respond to small farm holdings in mixtures with staple crops such as nutrient availability [8, 9]. Making nutrients available to yam, maize, cassava, cowpea and pepper or with various crops generally means making nutrients available to vegetable crops [2-5]. In the tropics, soil fertility is one of weeds [10]. Variation in crop and weed responses to soil the major constraints in crop productivity. This is because fertility regimes indicate the need for better understanding the soils are poor in organic matter and available nutrients of interactions between management practices and hence, productivity and sustainability decline over time species specific physiological and morphological [6]. The decrease in soil fertility has raised concerns about characteristics [11]. The timing of nutrient availability the sustainability of agricultural productivity at current relative to crop and weed demands upon nutrient supplies levels. Future agricultural productivity will have to focus appears to be very important for determining the outcome on using available nutrient resources more efficiently, of competitive interactions. In addition, the level of soil effectively than in the previous periods. Livestock fertility determines the relative competitiveness between remains such as poultry manure and farm yard manure are the crop and weeds [2]. At higher levels of N, weeds like valuable resources which may be useful as a supplement wild oat are generally more competitive than crops [2]. or replacement of inorganic fertilizers [7]. In order to However, appropriate agronomic practices and prevent the current global high price and short supply of management decisions can have a significant influence on inorganic fertilizers and their deterious effects on the the type and number of weeds interfering with crops [10]. ecosystems, efforts should be geared towards the Understanding this relationship can help arable crop fertility management through the supply of sufficient