GAS EXCHANGE, CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND LEAF AREA INDEX OF OKRA AT SIX IN-ROW PLANT DENSITIES
The effect of in-row plant densities on gas exchange, chlorophyll content and leaf area index of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) was studied. The six in-row plant densities ranged from 8 cm to 48 cm (D1 - D6). On 11 and 27 July 1990, the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), transpiration (E), net photosynthesis (Pn) and chlorophyll content (Chl) at top- and mid-canopy levels and leaf area index (LAI) were measured. Mid-canopy PAR was 86 ± 6% less than that of the top-canopy and E, Pn and Chl at mid-canopy were respectively 55, 90 and 10% lower than those of the top-canopy. The interaction of plant density with canopy position was significant for E and Pn. The highest E and Pn, (12.28 mmol m-2 s-1 and 22.01 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1, respectively) were recorded at the D5 top-canopy. In-contrast, the lowest E and Pn, (4.17 mmol m-2 s-l and 1.23 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1, respectively) at the D6 mid-canopy were recorded. The LAI also exhibited significant variation among plant densities with a range of 4.65 to 4.97 for D5 and D3, respectively. These results indicate that 40 cm in-row density was the most suited for gas exchange of okra.