Dipak Kattel* , Bikash Khanal, Kedar Gajurel, Subash Thapa, Varun Panthi, Namrata Thokar and Sabnam Subedi
Mahendra Ratna Multiple Campus Ilam/IAAS/TU, Ilam
*Corresponding author's email: katteldipak8848@gmail.com

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on okra to determine the appropriate pinching method (no pinching, first node pinching, second node pinching and third node pinching) and variety (Abhinandan and JKOH 7315). As a result of branching being encouraged by pinching, plants become bushier and produce more blooms, which increases yield. From February to June 2022, the study was conducted at a farmer's field in the Sunsari district of eastern Nepal. The eight treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), using three replications. The maximum (7.21) number of lateral branches per plant, greatest (14.52 mt/ha) yield, more (22.08) number of pods per plant, shortest (11.72 cm) average pod length and smallest (1.55 cm) average pod diameter were recorded at the 1st node pinching. The highest (13.69 mt/ha) yield, more (86.11%) number of seedling emergence and more (20.29) number of pods per plant were obtained in the Abhinandan variety. This study suggests that farmers should grow okra of Abhinandan variety and use first node pinching technique to produce good crop stand, higher yield (Mt/ha) and quality pods.