Effect Of The Exclusion Of Insect Pollinators On The Reproductive Performance Of Okra Abelmoschus Esculenta (L) Moench

ABSTRACT

The reduction in pollination set-vices has led to reduction in crop yields of which okra is no exception. This study investigated the effect of exclusion of' insect pollinators on the reproductive performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). The experimental design used was the randomized complete block design (RCBD) involving two treatments with three replications. The parameters studied wet-c the weight of pod, number of aborted flowers per plant, length of pod and number of seeds per pod. The results indicated no difference in the number of flowers per plant and number of aborted flowers per plant hut differences were shown in the number of pods harvested per plant, yield pet- plant and number of seeds per pod. The study indicated that insect pollination helps to improve the yield in okra. It was therefore recommended that trees visited by this insect that helps in pollination activities should he planted around.