International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 73-79 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 74 include India, Nigeria, Mali, Sudan, Pakistan, Egypt, etc., where the leading country is India with 13 t/ha productivity. In Nepal, the total cultivated area of okra is 9,584 ha with a production of 110,565 mt and a yield of 11.54 (MoALD, 2022). The spring season crop is cultivated during the end of February or the beginning of March, and the rainy season is sown in June/July (Kumar et al., 2019). In analyzing the trend of vegetables in Nepal, it seems highly fluctuating, where in the case of okra, the area and production have increased by 12.2% each while yield has declined by 0.2% (Ghimire et al., 2018; Gemede et al., 2015). Although the productivity is nearer to the world's leading countries, the major constraint for the decrease in production is the insect pests and diseases mainly caused by the stem borer and yellow vein mosaic virus not only in Nepal but also in Asian countries (Belbase et al., 2020; Lee, 2017). Pyuthan district is part of the Lumbini province and covers an area of 1,365 m2. The total population of the Pyuthan district is 232,019 according to the census of 2078. Until 2078/079 in Pyuthan district, the location for cultivation is 1,185 ha with a production of 14,888 Mt and Productivity of 12.6 Mt. Tons/ha and the area covered by the vegetable zone is 395 ha. and productivity of 13.5 mt/ha. The working area of the vegetable zone is in 29 wards of 6 local levels (Poudel and Khadka, 2018; Singh et al., 2014). The project implementation unit, Pyuthan, is gradually expanding the area for vegetables by spreading advanced technology, promoting mechanization, building various infrastructures including increasing production and productivity of vegetables and reducing costs, creating employment opportunities, and establishing vegetable-based industries (PMAMP, 2023). In the Pyuthan district okra is cultivated in 10.48 ha with a production of 306mt and yield of 7.29 (MoALD, 2022). Different hybrid and local varieties of okra are under practice on growing and farmers select random varieties from agro-vets and don’t get the desired yield from the crop in specific locations. So it is very important to research different varieties of okra based on yield so the farmer can get maximum benefit from the varieties they select in the specific location. Even the recommended varieties of okra in Nepal are general, not location-specific according to MoALD, so such research is mandatory. 2 Materials and Methods The research was carried out on a farmers’ farm in Maranthana village Pyuthan district, Nepal. Geographically, the experimental field is situated at Latitude: 28° 6' 39" N, Longitude: 82° 54' 44" E, and elevation of 1,001 masl. The duration of the experiment was from 29th March 2023 to 15th July 2023. The average temperature of maximum and minimum of 30 °C and 12 °C respectively, is located in sub-tropical climates and moderate zone. 2.1 Experimental design This experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five varieties which include Arka Anamika, Rukmani, Raja F1, Special-45, and Arzine hybrid with four replications. All varieties were randomized separately in each replication block. Altogether there were 20 plots. Individual plots were 3 m in length and 2 m in breadth. Spacing was 30×30 cm2, in which the plot consisted of five rows with nine plants each. Altogether 45 plants per plot. The net experimental plot area was 6 m2, having a plot-plot spacing of 50 cm, block-block spacing of 1 m, and a 50 cm border, the total area for experimental research was 208 m2. 2.2 Research materials Seeds used in experimental fields include Arka Anamika, Rukmani, Raja F1, Special-45, and Arzine hybrid which were brought from nearby Agro-vet of Pyuthan district. Seeds were treated with thiram fungicide and primed for 24 hours before sowing. The field was prepared by 2-3 plowing followed by planking. Seed sowing was done by line sowing at a depth of 3 cm. Plants from the same treatment as filler plants were used for gap filling, which was conducted 15 days after sowing. Intercultural operation is very crucial for determining final yield and was carried on 15-day intervals from sowing for 4 times. 2.3 Data collection methods Plant height, branches per plant, pod length, pod diameter, pod weight and no of pods per plant were measured at different time intervals after sowing. Pods were collected every seven-day interval after the first harvest, up to three times up to 90 DAS. Pod length, pod diameter, and whole plot weight were determined at each harvest.
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