Effect of Okra Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L. Moench) In a Jatropha – Okra Intercrop

Intercropping is usually employed to meet the demand for nutritionally balanced food for the world’s increasing population and release intense pressure on land use. The study was conducted to evaluate the compatibility of Jatropha-okra intercrop and also to identify the appropriate okra spacing when inter-planted with Jatropha-okra at the experimental site of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor plantation, Ibadan on latitude 7º22N and Longitude 3º50E. The experimental design used was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising of five treatments in three replicates. It includes sole okra, sole Jatropha and three cropping system with varied okra spacing of 30cm x 40cm, 30cm x 50cm, 30cm x 60cm.. Parameters assessed were plant height (cm), number of leaves and fruit yield. The result obtained revealed that Okra yield as a sole crop was similar to its yield under Jatropha intercrop which indicated that intercropping okra with Jatropha at its early stage will not affect the yield of okra plant. Even though growth of Jatropha and okra were better enhanced when okra was interplanted at 30x40cm, the impact on okra yield could not be established at the early stage of Jatropha plant growth.