Assessing The Effects of Microorganisms (EM) and Bokashi on Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Towards Plant Growth and Yield Performance

Abstract

The fertilizer application can impact crop production, quality, and growth performance. However, excessive use of chemical fertilisers in farming can cause in poor soil conditions, contamination, environmental pollution and decreased yield. Thus, this study aims to investigate the possible impacts of Effective Microorganisms (EM) and Bokashi on the quality, growth, and yield performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). The field study was conducted at the Agropark, UMK Jeli Campus,Kelantan. The study's treatments included in the study were as follows: (T0) control; (T1) EM solution; (T2) bokashi fertiliser; and (T3) EM solution and bokashi fertilizer combined. The experiment layout was designed in a completely randomised design (CRD) with 16 samples. Data regarding quality, plant growth, and yield performance were gathered, including the germination date, harvesting date, plant height, number of leaves, number of fruits produced, dry weight of fruit, and fresh weight of fruit. Compared to the other treatments, Bokashi alone (T2) delivers the highest mean value of products in terms of number of leaves, number of fruits, fresh weight of fruits, the dried weight of fruits, and germination date of okra seeds. Whereas the combined application of EM and Bokashi (T3) has produced the highest plant height and the earliest harvesting date as the first to produce their yield that developed into mature and ready to be harvested relatively than others. The control treatment (T0) showed the slowest growth rate and okra plant yield. However, it can be concluded that individual applications of Bokashi had a significant effect on the plant development and yield performance of okra plants. This study hoped to improve okra's yields and growth performance and aid in its production effort.