Influence of spacing and application of biofertilizer on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

The adequate spacing in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) influences its growth and fruit production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, the leaf composition and okra production in different spacing with and without biofertilizer. This research was carried out from October, 2012 to March, 2013, at the Federal University of Paraiba, Areia county, Paraiba State, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications, using the 3 × 4 × 2 factorial scheme, referring to three spacing between rows (0.80, 1.00 and 1.20 m), four spacing between plants (0.30, 0.40, 0.50 and 0.60 m), with and without bovine biofertilizer. The leaf area, mean fruit mass, number of plant-1 fruits, plant-1 fruit yield and N, P and K contents were significantly influenced by the spacing × biofertilizer interaction. The commercial productivity of the okra was altered only by the spacing. The application of biofertilizer at spacing of 1.00 × 0.50 m and 1.20 × 0.50 m increased the leaf area of ​​okra. The smaller spacing, associated with the presence of biofertilizer, increased the productive characteristics of okra.   Key words: Organic input, population density, yield.