Effects of Plant Spacing on the Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Botswana

Okra is a newly cultivated crop in Botswana. Plant population has been identified as one of the factors that contribute to poor plant development and lower yields. The effects of various intra-row spacing on yield and yield components of okra variety; Clemson Spineless was evaluated at Botswana College of Agriculture in Sebele. The treatments consisted of five intra-row spacings of 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 cm for treatments 1-5 respectively, each of the treatment was replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Yield and yield components were determined on five pre-determined plants from each plot and the raw data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Generally, a significant treatment effect was revealed for plant height with narrower plant spacing of 30 cm significantly increasing the plant height. Wider plant spacing of 90 cm significantly increased the plant weight, number of branches and leaves. A non-significant treatment effect was observed for stem diameter, fruit length and diameter, number of flowers and fruits. Based on the results wider intra-row spacing of 90 cm is recommended for okra production.