Performance of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus [L] Moench.] as Influenced by Row Arrangement and Weeding Regime Grown in Intercrop with Cucumber (Cucumis spp.) in Sudan Savanna

Field trials were conducted during the rainy season of 2018 and 2019 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, to evaluate the performance of okra in an okra-cucumber intercrop under different row arrangements and weeding regimes in the Sudan savanna agroecological zone. The experiment utilized a factorial combination of three-row arrangements of okra and cucumber (1:1, 1:2, and 2:1) and four weeding regimes (W0, W1, W2, and WF) arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Weeding regimes were assigned to the main plots, while row arrangements were allocated to the subplots.

The study assessed okra parameters including the number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight per plant, and yield per hectare. Results revealed that the 1:2 row arrangement produced a higher number of fruits per plant, better fruit weight per plant, and greater fruit yield compared to other arrangements. However, the combination of a 2:1-row arrangement with a weed-free treatment significantly improved fruit yield. In both years and combined mean, the 1:2 row arrangements with weed-free produced the highest monetary return but were not statistically different from the two weddings. The two weddings were therefore optimum for the monetary return of the okra/cucumber mixture. Based on these findings, the 2:1 row arrangement with a weed-free regime is recommended for cultivating okra in an intercrop with cucumber in the Sudan savanna region.