The Effect of Methanol, Density and Interference of Weeds on Morphological and Yield Traits of Okra

Increasing of crop density and using methanol are among the factors, which can increase the competitiveness of okra (Abelmuschus esculentus)with weeds and cause increase of yield. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted in split plot factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the research farm of Islamic Azad University, Birjand Branch in the 2017. Methanol treatment with two levels including control and 20% by volume of foliar application of methanol) have been assigned as main plots, crop density at two levels including five and 10 plants per m2 and weed-free periods including weed-free until the end of harvest, weed-free up to five weeks after emergence and weed-free up to 10 weeks after emergence allocated as sub-plots. The results showed that the highest yield of fresh okra (1048 g m-2) and biological yield (231 g m-2) were obtained in the application of 20% by volume of methanol, density of 10 plants per m2 and weeding during the vegetation growth stage. The maximum dry weight of narrow-leaved weeds obtained in the absence of methanol application, density of five plants per m2 and weed weeding, up to five weeks after emergence (641 g m-2) respectively and the highest dry weight of broadleaf weeds obtained in methanol application, density of five plants per m2 and weeding up to five weeks after emergence (324 g m-2). In general, the results of this experiment showed that although methanol, improved okra traits in interference and weed-free conditions, but selecting the appropriate density (10 plants m-2) played a very important role for the effective traits of okra to increase fresh fruit yield and maintaining it in terms of competition with weeds.