Comparative study of silica and mycorrhiza application on growth and yield of okra under acidic soil conditions in high-rainfall areas

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and silica (Si) application on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in the lateritic soils of the Konkan region during the rabi season of 2024–25. A factorial randomised block design comprising 18 treatment combinations with 3 replications was adopted. Treatments comprised seed, soil and drench applications of AMF and soil, foliar and seed applications of Si at three graded levels (1×, 2× and 3×) in combination with the recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF). Growth and yield attributes, including plant height, leaf number, shoot and root biomass, shoot-to-root ratio and fruit yield were recorded. Soil application of Si granules (A4) at the highest level (B3; 15 kg ha-1) recorded the maximum plant height (62.44 cm), shoot weight (28.66 g) and fruit yield (138.33 g), whereas AMF drenching and soil application (A2 and A3) improved root weight (up to 19.88 g) and root volume (up to  18.22 cm³). As the A×B interaction was statistically significant only for fruit yield, the main effects are presented for the remaining parameters. The use of Si and AMF enhanced nutrient uptake, physiological efficiency and stress tolerance. The study concludes that soil application of silica at higher doses is more effective than AMF and is a sustainable strategy for improving okra productivity in acidic, high-rainfall soils.