WATER USE EFFICIENCY OF OKRA AMENDED WITH SAW-DUST UNDER DEFICIT IRRIGATION IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Enormous funds are spent annually on providing moisture for crop use throughout each planting cycle. The sharp depletion of moisture available for planting necessitates essential amendment measures, keenly focused on moisture conservation. A research trial consisiting of an experimental design of 12 samples arranged in a specific order to meet the research requirement. Treatment samples of soil–sawdust were mixed proportionally at (25%-75%, 50%-50%, 75%-25%, 100%-0%) with varying water application of (100%, 50% and 25%). Growth stages amongst samples were visible owing to variance in height and yield. The amended samples greatly conserved moisture through a wide margin by the difference in bucket weight. Rates of moisture conservation in amended samples correspondingly declined with a descending sawdust application; samples with greater sawdust application showed higher moisture conservation. The growth and yield of the amended samples to the leave-alone samples greatly varied. The leave-alone samples proved to be less moisture conservative, but showing high- moisture usage potential