ARID ZONE JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT
AZOJETE - CIGR Section VI Special Issue:

Innovation & Technologies for Sustainable Agricultural Production & Food Sufficiency
AZOJETE, December, 2018. Vol. 14(SP.i4):1-7

Published by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Maidiguri, Maidiguri, Nigeria.

Print ISSN: 1596-2490, Electronic ISSN: 2545-5818
www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: oke.matthew@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng, amaomonsuru@gmail.com 1

1

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
GROWTH PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF OKRA (HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS)

USING IMPROVISED DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM

M.O. Amoo1, M.A. Adedeji2, *A.M. Oke3, T.E. Aremu3
1Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure,

Ondo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural and Bio- Environmental Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ede,

Osun State, Nigeria
3Department of Agricultural Engineering, Adeleke University, P.M.B 250, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.

ARTICLE INFORMATION

Received October, 2018
Accepted December, 2018

Keywords:
Okra
Irrigation
Drip
Marginal water quality
Nigeria

ABSTRACT
Okra is a common and popular vegetable crop used in Nigeria.
Irrigation method has very significant influence on okra (Hibiscus
esculentus) production. A careful effect of marginal water quality on
IDI and control system which were subjected to the same conditions
was investigated. An experimental field area of 13.5 m2 by 6.0 m2
was properly cleared, stumped, ploughed, harrowed and leveled.
High yielding and disease resistant okra variety seeds were carefully
selected and planted at a regular interval of 0.6 m. The results of
statistical analysis obtained using Completely Randomized Blocked
Design (CRBD) (P˂0.05) revealed that there were significant
differences on water application which reflected an increase in some
agronomic parameters such as growth, weight, yield and vegetative
development of the okra. These selected okra agronomic
parameters showed that the okra performed in IDI. Maximum fruit
yield of 71.71% and water utilization efficiency of 55.49% was
obtained by using IDI system.

© 2018 Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. All rights reserved.

1.0 Introduction
Okra (Hibiscus esculentus) is indigenous crop which grows throughout the tropics and in some
part of the sub-tropic (Modupe 2015). The plant tropically grows to 180cm in height, but some
indigenous varieties may grow to 360cm tall, with base stem of 6cm in diameter. The plant
produces dark yellow flower that are about 5cm in diameter. The plant is cultivated in tropical,
sub-tropical and warm temperate region around the world. (Okunade et al., 2009). In Nigeria, it
is among the foremost vegetable crops in term of consumption and production (Puneet and
Arun, 2015). Okra is a hot weather crop with optimum soil temperature of 75oF to 90oF. It is
tolerant to wide variation in rainfall (Kamran et al., 2012). It will grow well on all types of soil but
best performance is obtained on sandy loam soil with high organic matter content and optimum
soil pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 (Sexena et al., 2013). Okra is propagated by seed; 2-3 seeds are
sown at 1-2cm depth per hole with 60cm – 90cm inter row spacing and 30cm along the rows.
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil for the purpose of supplying the
essential moisture for plant growth to eliminate moisture deficiency at various stage of plant
growth (Michael, 2000). Irrigation is necessary to provide enough water to fill the deficit arising

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Amoo et al.: Growth performance characteristics of okra (Hibiscus esculentus) using improvised drip irrigation system.
AZOJETE, 14(sp.i4):1-7. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: oke.matthew@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng, amaomonsuru@gmail.com
2

2

from the depletion of soil moisture from combine action exist between two separate
phenomena of evaporation and transpiration (Fasina, 2008). Ahmad et al., (2003) reported that
the total amount of water that is used each year is utilized for the purpose of irrigation. Water
management by irrigation practices are t complement the available water from natural sources
such as rainfall, flood, dew and ground water. Therefore, irrigation is needed in most parts of
West Africa where there may be a prolonged drought period and mostly where water from
natural sources is inadequate for effective crop germination and production. The available lands
in the tropical regions need irrigation to improve economic returns from production of crops by
more than 100%. (Modupe et al., 2015).

Drip irrigation is the method whereby water is supplied to crop root zone at regulated rate and
fertilizer application can be done. It is very importance to carry out a study on the best irrigation
system for the production of okra in Nigeria in order to maximize profit and reduce the cost of
production. The main concern of productive agriculture is the effective and efficient supply of
water and growing demand for crop production. It includes remunerative cropping which needs
a systematic study of irrigation problem and method of efficient economic use of water since
irrigation potential created and it utilization, and that makes the situation more serious. On the
other hand, when it is limited as compound to available water, the aim would be to maximize
production per unit of land without watching water. Under irrigated condition, it is usually not
possible to grow more than one crop in a year and the yield from a rain-fed crop may hardly be
between 1-2 tonnes of food per hectare in dry areas. But irrigation makes it possible to grow
more than one crop in a year. Puneet and Arun (2015).

Metin et al., (2006) reported that timely irrigation leads to high yield multiple cropping under
irrigation farming which assure high crop production. High yield varieties have a high water
requirement than ordinary varieties; the potential of Okra varieties can be fully exploited if
adequate amount of water is made available. Irrigation is necessary for vegetable (okra)
production in Nigeria in order to make the crop available throughout the year.

2.0 Materials and Methods
2.1 Study area and land clearing
Field experiments were located at Teaching and Research Farm of Agricultural and Bio-
Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering Technology, The Federal
Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. It is located between Longitude 40 5’ and 50 45’ East of
the Greenwch Meridian and Latitudes 70 5’ and 80 5’ north of the Equator. It lies South of Kwara
and Kogi State, East of Kwara and bounded by Ondo State in the East and in the Kogi State. The
plot has a flat topography and the area was chosen for its suitable soil structure, texture, water
retention capacity, loamy fertile soil, nearness to water source (well) and availability of power
supply to operate the electric water pump. Land preparation involved the use of tractor for
ploughing and harrowing to make it suitable for undisturbed, unobstructed free flow of water
and good crop management.

2.2 Experimental design and Installation layout
The consumptive water use of okra under Improvised Drip Irrigation system were measured and
recorded. These agronomic data collected were analyzed using Completely Randomized Block
Design (CRBD) ANOVA method. Total experimental plot of 13.5 m2 by 6.0 m2 was used. In drip
irrigation system, the two drums 100 litres was placed on the raised platform that serve as water

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, December, 2018; Vol. 14(sp.i4):1-7. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: oke.matthew@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng, amaomonsuru@gmail.com

3

reservoir, the main pipe, lateral (PVC) were measured and cut into different sizes with measuring
tape and hacksaw respectively. The pipe was connected to the reservoir with a valve, the screen
filter was attached, and then a quick coupling elbow was used in the coupling of the main line of
the length 450 m. The lateral line of 210 m was fixed on the main line at equal interval from each
other.
Typical okra farm planted in row and freshly harvested okra in Plates 1a and 1b below,
respectively, and the Installation layout of Improvised Drip Irrigation System in Plate 2

Plate 1a: Typical okra farm planted in a row Plate 1b: Typical okra freshly fruits Plate 2: Installation Layout of the IDI system

2.3 Irrigation Design
The purpose of irrigation layout is to transmit information from engineering plans to the
irrigation field. This will locate the work and provide such lines and elevations as needed for the
development of Improvised Drip Irrigation system. Pictorial details of IDI layout is presented in
Plate 3.

Plate 3: Improvised Drip Irrigation system layout

2.4 Planting of okra and data collection
2.4.1 Planting of okra
Before planting of the seeds, the irrigation system was tested by pre irrigation in order to locate
and correct any high or low spots which can lead to uneven water supply to the plants. The okra
seeds were planted at 0.02 m depth with 0.6 m interval, the weeding was carried out manually
on the experimental plot of land. The same treatments and analysis were carried out on the
Improvised Drip Irrigation system and control at the same time on the same day to avoid
predisposition of the results. The pesticide and NPK fertilizer were applied to control the
diseases and increase the quality and quantity of okra yields.

2.4.2 Data collection
The moisture content and soil temperature were measured by means of moisture meter and soil
thermometers, respectively from the day of planting to the maturity. The agronomic parameters,
height, girth, number of leaves, okra yield, and flowers stage were measured and recorded: using
digital weighing balance (± 0.01g). Kamran et al., (2012).

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Amoo et al.: Growth performance characteristics of okra (Hibiscus esculentus) using improvised drip irrigation system.
AZOJETE, 14(sp.i4):1-7. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: oke.matthew@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng, amaomonsuru@gmail.com
4

4

3.0 Results and Discussion
Table 1 showed that the plant height (cm) for the readings after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40
days showed that there were a significant differences in IDI when compared to control system.
The mean plant height after 40 days under IDI and control system were 151.68 and 63.32 cm,
respectively Choudhary et al., (2012) (Figure 1). the results obtained for height of okra against
DAP and statistical analysis proved that there is significant difference in the methods used with
respect to the height of okra for IDI and control (Okunade et al, 2009; Choudhary et al., 2012).
The mean plant diameter under IDI after 99 days 328.79 and 99.45 cm respectively.
From figure 2 results indicated that there is no significant difference in IDI used with respect to
the Stem girth of okra against DAP in control system. (Babar et al., 2008). The increase stem
girth (cm) under IDI and control system for the eight reading after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40
days showed that there was a significant difference in IDI in comparison to control system.
(Table 1). The mean plant stem girth after 40 days under IDI and control system were 2.696 and
2.289 cm, respectively as indicated in results by (Metin et al., 2006) in the studies of growth of
okra fruits.

Figure 3 results showed a linear relationship in IDI when compared to control between number
of leave against DAP from the results obtained there is significant differences at 0.05 percent.
(Pravukalyan et al., 2011; Al-Harbi et al., 2008). The number of leaves (cm) under IDI and control
system for the eight reading after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 days showed that there was a
significant difference in IDI compare to control system. The mean plant height after 40 days
under IDI and control system was 936 and 598 cm, respectively as indicated in results by (Alkaff,
2003) in the studies of growth of okra fruits. Therefore, this result show that as the plant growth
increased inline plant height and stem diameter as contributed to the conserved soil moisture,
seedling emergence, and improved plant growth (Okunade et al., 2009).

Figure 4, the results of yield for the eight days after planting showed a significant difference in
DAP 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days among the irrigation system. However, there were no significant
in 30, 35, and 40 days from plant growth under IDI as indicated by (Sexena et al., 2013). The
mean okra yield performance after 40 days under IDI and control system was 3470 and 292 cm,
respectively (Table 1). Based on the results in Figure 4, the analysis carried out proved that there
is significant difference in IDI used with respect to the number of okra yield against DAP in
control. Therefore, the number of Okra increase based on the amount of rainfall. (Jayapiratha, et
al., 2010).

From figure 5 displayed the relationship between the weights of okra against day after harvest,
the relationship is linear and there is significant difference in IDI respect of control systems
(Danso et al., 2015). The weight of okra production against days after planting (cm) for the eight
reading after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 days showed that there was a significant difference
in IDI compare to control system Ahmad et al., (2013). The summation of weight of production
after 40 days of planting under IDI and control system was 45.61 and 10.60 kg, respectively
(Puneet et al., 2015). Thus growth is not faster under the control system because no treatment
was added. This system and results is in line with findings of Ahmad et al., (2013).

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, December, 2018; Vol. 14(sp.i4):1-7. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: oke.matthew@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng, amaomonsuru@gmail.com

5

Table 1: Growth performance under Improvised Drip Irrigation system (IDI)

DAP
Height of Okra
(cm)

Stem girth
(mm)

Number of
leaves

Okra yield
(kg)

Weight of okra
(kg)

IDI Control IDI Control IDI Control IDI Control IDI Control
5th 6.30 2.10 0.136 0.121 34 15 34 0 1.07 0
10th 12.20 6.30 0.171 0.141 50 30 344 0 5.07 0.84
15th 16.03 5.45 0.254 0.222 68 44 519 30 5.14 1.40
20th 17.49 9.54 0.264 0.330 101 99 415 37 5.20 1.20
25th 20.13 9.55 0.332 0.311 115 99 393 44 6.96 2.72
30th 22.13 9.56 0.394 0.324 201 101 650 72 6.18 1.72
35th 27.00 10.12 0.465 0.412 231 104 528 62 5.55 1.84
40th 30.40 10.70 0.680 0.430 251 106 587 47 10.45 0.88

Figure 1: Height of Okra production (cm) against Day after Planting

Figure 2: Stem girth of Okra (cm) against Days after Planting (DAP)

Figure 3: Number of leaves (cm) against Days after Planting (DAP).

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Amoo et al.: Growth performance characteristics of okra (Hibiscus esculentus) using improvised drip irrigation system.
AZOJETE, 14(sp.i4):1-7. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: oke.matthew@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng, amaomonsuru@gmail.com
6

6

Figure 4: Number of Okra yield performance (cm) against Days after Planting (DAP)

Figure 5:Weight of Okra production (kg) against Days after Planting (DAP)

4.0 Conclusion and Recommendation
4.1 Conclusion
The growth performance characteristic of Okra on improvised drip irrigation system was
investigated, this leads to minimized of water usage, fertilizers, land utilization and increased
fruit yields as well as production of okra calls for an effective irrigation system. Growth occurs
through the effect of soil types and watering treatments had no significant different on its.
Therefore, okra may not require much water for maximum growth germination at the initial
stage.

4.2 Recommendation
Based on the results obtained from the study, Improvised Drip Irrigation system (IDI) is highly
recommended for the effective cultivation of okra seeds and the amount of water required to
irrigate is low compared to other irrigation systems.

Reference
Ahmad, SA., Mahmood, AJ., Malik, A. and Kumbhar, MB. 2013. Response of Okra to water stress,

Sarhad Journal of Agricultural 19: 73-79.
Al-Harbi, AR., Al-Omran, AM. and El-Adgham, FL. 2008. Effect of Drip Irrigation levels and

Emitters Depth on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Growth. Journals of Applied Sciences
8(15): 2764-2769. Published by Asian Network for Scientific Information

Alkaff, SA. 2003. Effect of organic fertilizer and foliar application of power 4 on growth and yield
on Okra plants. University of Aden Journals of water management science 7(1) 25-35

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, December, 2018; Vol. 14(sp.i4):1-7. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: oke.matthew@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng, amaomonsuru@gmail.com

7

Babar, MM., Shaikh, AH. and Yaseen, SM. 2008. A comparative Study on Drip and Furrow
Irrigation Methods. Mehran University J. Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro. 27 Oct.
2008, pp.413-418.

Choudhary, S., Chandra, A. and Yadav, PK. 2012. Effect of crop geometry on okra (Abelmoschus
esculentus) cultivars under different irrigation levels and mulching, Progressive Horticulture,
44(2), 276-280.

Danso, OE., Mickson, SA., Sabi, EB., Plauborg, F., Abekoe, M., Kugblenu, YO., Jensen, CR. and
Andersen, MN. 2015. Effect of different fertilization and irrigation methods on nitrogen
uptake, intercepted radiation and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentum L.) grown in the
Keta sand spit of Southeast Ghana, Agricultural Water Management, 147, 34-42.

Fasina, AS. 2008. Irrigation Suitability Evaluation of Asu River Basin Soils, South eastern Nigeria.
Int. J. Soil Sci., 3(1): 35 – 41.

Jayapiratha, M., Thushyanthy, V. and SivaKumar, S. 2010. Performance Evaluation of Okra under
Drip irrigation system.Asian Journal of Agricultural Research, 4:137-147.

Kamran, BS., Hakim, AS., Javaid, AR., Bhugro, M. and Sakhawat, HK., 2012. Effect of marginal
quality water on Okra. International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. 4: 56-
67.

Metin, SS., Yazar, A. and Eker, S. 2006. Effect of drip irrigation regimes on yield and quality of
field grown bell pepper Agricultural water management Vol.4: pp 115-131.

Michael AM. 2000. Irrigation: Theory and practice. 1st ed VIKAS Publishing house Ltd. New Delhi,
India

Modupe, JA., Oluwakemi, EA. and Joshua, K. 2015. Effects of Irrigation and Soil Types on the
Germination and Growth of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Journal of Plant
Sciences. Vol. 3, pp. 59-63.

Okunade, DA., Olanusi, OA. and Adekalu, KO. 2009. Yield, and economics of okra and amaranth
production under irrigation. International Journal of Vegetable Science, Vol. 15, 28–43.

Pravukalyan, P., Narendra, NS. and Sanatan, P. 2011. Evaluating partial root-zone irrigation and
mulching in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under a sub-humid tropical climate. Journal of
Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics. Vol. 112 No. 2 169–175.
Published by JARTS.

Puneet, S. and Arun, K. 2015. Economics of Growing Okra under Drip Fertigation. Indian Journal
of Science and Technology Vol. 8 pp 35.

Saxena, CK., Gupta, SK., Purohit, RC., Bhaka, SR. and Upadhyay, B. 2013. Performance of okra
under drip irrigation with saline water, Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 50(4), 683-689.

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng

	Figure 4, the results of yield for the eight days