OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L.) MYCORRHIZATION UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION

Abstract

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus intraradices on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) var. ‘Clemson Spineless’ productivity was studied under semiarid conditions, and a drip irrigation system. In 2002 and 2003, plant height (PLH), mycorrhizal colonization (MC), and fruit commercial yield (FCY) were compared in
plants coming from okra seeds inoculated and none inoculated with AMF. In 2003 irrigation was applied with saline water (electrical conductivity of 3000 mS cm-1). In 2004, leaf chlorophyll index (CHI), PLH and FCY, were evaluated among treatments: AMF inoculated seed, chemical fertilization (120N-50P-00K), AMF inoculated seed +
half of chemical fertilization and control. In 2002 and 2003, inoculation with AMF increased significantly both MC and FCY, compared to the control. G. intraradices inoculation caused significant increases on MC and FCY of okra plant irrigated with saline water. In 2004, CHI and PLH were not significantly different among treatments;
however, FCY was higher in treatments AMF, chemical fertilization and AMF + half of chemical fertilization, compared to the control. These results show that G. intraradices increased significantly okra FCY during the three years, under a drip irrigation system. The beneficial effect of AMF symbiosis promoting okra fruit yield, combined with drip irrigation, could be an efficient production management system for semiarid areas.