Evaluation of four exportable hybrid okra varieties in three different ecozones of Ghana

Abstract

Four export okra varieties namely 'Najuka', 'Saloni' OH-152 and OH-016 were evaluated for their growth and yield in different ecozones of Ghana. The locations where the trials were carried out included: Param Farms, Akatsi, Tacks Farms at Akrade and Kpalime, Obuadum Vegetable Farmers Association Farms, Bunso, Agomanya Sweet Potato Farmers Association Farms, Somanya, Dhillion Farms, Weija, Abutia Youth Farmers Association Farms, Abutia near Ho and SOA Farms, Suhum Kraboa Coaltar and the Agricultural Research Centre farms, Kade. Two experiments were carried out. The first experimental studies were conducted at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Centre Farms, Kade (Eastern Region) and Tacks Farms, Kpalime (Volta Region) to evaluate the four varieties in terms of their growth and yield characteristics while the second studies were carried out in some selected vegetable producers and exporters farms. Results obtained indicated that the varieties started flowering between 28-42 days after sowing in all the experiments. Saloni flowered earlier compared to the other varieties. In the first experiments at Kade and Kpalime, fruit number per plant ranged from 21-27. Yields of 123, 18.7, 19.98 and 20.22t/ha were obtained at Tack Farms, Kpalime for Najuka, Saloni, OH-016 and OH-152 respectively. In the second or commercial experiments, fruit number per plant ranged from 10-20 while the yield was between 3.73-6.26 t/ha. The number of fruits ranged from 623.3-1043.1 boxes/ha. However, the number of boxes exported was from 118.3-990.3 in the different varieties and a total of 4,570.2 boxes were exported. The total revenue generated from the total exports amounted to 159.96m. OH-152 proved to be one of the most preferred varieties in terms of growth, fruit number and yield as well as its dark green colour at all locations, followed by OH-016 and Najuka. In general the results look promising and okra has the potential to take the lead in sustaining the vegetable export trade in Ghana