Influence of Compost on Incidence and Severity of Okra Mosaic Disease and Fruit Yield and Quality of Two Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Cultivars

Poor soil fertility, viral diseases and pest infestations are major constraints on the production of okra in Africa. The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of compost in minimizing okra mosaic disease (OMD), flea beetle infestation and improving the yield and quality of okra. In a pot and two field experiments (conducted in 2014 major and minor seasons), compost was incorporated at 0 kg N ha-1, 100 kg N ha-1 and 200 kg N ha-1 with three replicates, in a randomised complete block design using Asontem and Enidaso okra varieties as test crops. Results indicated that compost application yielded significantly higher plant height, and dry matter content and nutrients in the harvested okra plants than the control. High levels of compost application significantly improved the soluble carbon, crude fibre and crude fat content of okra fruits but did not significantly affect moisture and protein contents. Application of compost also reduced incidence and severity of OMD, but did not significantly influence the population of flea beetles that infested the okra plants. Asontem variety was more susceptible to OMD, recording significantly higher disease incidence and severity than Enidaso. The study has demonstrated that the compost application has the potential to enhance the fertility status of tropical soils to increase growth, yield and nutrient composition as well as decreasing incidence of OMD.