Effect of Apical Debudding on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Abstract

SUMMARYField trials on okra over three seasons showed that the removal of the apical bud on the main stem at 3 or 4 weeks did not affect marketable fruit yield but that yield was reduced by about 39% when debudding was done at 5, 6 or 7 weeks. Apical debudding led to increased vegetative development, enhanced dry matter accumulation and reduced plant height. Removing the apical bud at weeks 3, 4 or 5 delayed the first harvest by 8, 15 or 18 days, respectively, compared to the undebudded control plants. It appears that okra can tolerate considerable apical damage during the vegetative stage, as can happen with insect attack, without serious loss of yield.