Yield and fruit quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in response to plant density

A greenhouse study was conducted from February - May 2013 at Kent Estate, Harare, Zimbabwe, to determine the influence of plant density on growth and yield of okra cv. ‘Clemson Spineless’. The trial was laid out in a Randomised Complete Block design (RCBD) using 4 replications. Five levels of plant density viz. 20 800 plants ha -1 , 31 200 plants ha -1 , 41 600 plants ha -1 , 52 000 plants ha -1 , and 62 400 plants ha -1 were used as treatments. Data collected was statistically analyzed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Least Significant Difference (LSD) was used for mean separation (P < 0.05). Tallest plants were recorded from plant density of 62 400 plants ha -1 whilst shortest plants were recorded at plant density of 20 800 plants ha -1 . Plant density of 31 200 plants ha 1 produced the highest number of branches whilst plant density of 62 400 plants ha-1 recorded the lowest number of branches. The highest number of pods was recorded at plant density of 31 200 plants ha-1 whilst the lowest pod number was recorded at plant density of 62 400 plants ha -1 . Pod length generally decreased as plant density increased with longest and lowest pods recorded at 20 800 and 62 400 plants ha-1 respectively. The highest fruit fresh yield was recorded from plant density of 31 200 plants ha -1 whilst the lowest was recorded from 62 400 plants ha-1. Results of the study showed that plant density of 31 200 plants ha -1 gives the highest