Evaluating the Effectiveness of Organic Fertilizer on the Growth of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra)

Abstract

Organic fertilizer has gained increasing attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers due to its ability to provide nutrients for plant growth and utilize biodegradable materials. This study compared the short-term vegetative growth of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) treated with organic and inorganic fertilizers under similar experimental conditions over a four-week observation period. The experiment was conducted at Salay Riverside 1, Misamis Oriental, using two experimental units consisting of two seeds planted individually in two pots, with one pot assigned to each fertilizer treatment. The seeds were obtained from the same mother plant and grown using the same soil type, pot conditions, watering schedule, and environmental conditions. The organic fertilizer was produced from fruit and vegetable peels, rice rinse water, and dried poultry manure. Plant growth was assessed based on height, number of leaves, leaf condition, stem development, and pest incidence. Findings showed that the organic-fertilizer treatment increased in height from 10 cm to 24.5 cm and in number of leaves from three to five during the observation period. The inorganic-fertilizer treatment increased in height from 9 cm to 24 cm and in the number of leaves from three to five. Descriptive comparisons showed that both fertilizer treatments supported vegetative growth during the four-week observation period, while no pest infestation was observed in either treatment. The findings are limited to short-term vegetative growth under the specific experimental conditions and do not establish effects on crop yield, soil quality, or long-term sustainability.