Screening Of Varietal Adaptation Under Soilless Hydroponics System Of Abelmoschus Esculentum (L.) Moench

Abstract

Abelmoschus esculentum (L.) Moench, commonly called OKHRA, Family- Malvaceae is a very popular vegetable over the country considering their wide acceptability within the multicultural Indian population and high nutritional value. Due to gradual increasing of population coupled with urbanization and shrinking of productive land, an additionally low supply chain insists to transform urban agriculture for indoor, vertical and container as well as kitchen/classroom/community fresh vegetable production. Among various types of indoor crop production ‘Hydroponics” (use of soilless nutrients) seems best due to their low cost, labour insensitive and sustainable approach. The objective of this study is to test the differential adaptive response of popular okhra varieties Kamini and Pusa Mukhamali under a soilless hydroponics system using disposable cold drink bottles. In this dissertation data was recorded for selecting the germinating substrate and detailed morphometric assessments were performed for screening the suitable variety for hydroponic plantation. From this study it was hypothesized that in all aspects var 1 (Kamini) seemed much more adapted to the soil-less hydroponics system than var 2 (Pusa Mukhamali). Henceforth, var 1 (Kamini) can be recommended for soil-less hydroponics cultivation under normal net house/ balconies/ shaded roofs at lower Gangetic regions of West Bengal. This screening model can also be utilized for using as a component of urban agriculture for indoor, vertical and container as well as kitchen/classroom/community Fresh vegetable production.