Effectiveness of silver nitrate nanoparticles and plantain peel in improving the productivity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of silver nitrate nanoparticles and powdered plantain peel on the productivity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Randomized experimental design was employed involving two treatments and four levels per treatment with five replicates each. Plant productivity was measured by evaluating the growth parameters, physiological yield (biomass, fiber and chlorophyll) and biological yield (flowering, fruit and seed yield) at 20, 40 and 60 DAP (days after planting). Data were analyzed using Minitab software (17) for analysis of variance while means were separated using the LSD method at P≤0.05. Results showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in growth parameters prior to treatment application. At 40 DAP, okra plants treated with 10.0g of powdered plantain peel displayed the highest height increase. At 60 DAPs, plants treated with 400 ppm of silver nitrate nanoparticles achieved the tallest height. The application of 7.5 g plantain peel extract yielded the highest fiber content in seeds (4.8%), while 5.0 g of the same extract produced leaves with the highest chlorophyll concentration (21.6 mg/g). Treatments had no effect on biological yield (flowering, pod and seed parameters). Results suggest that the powdered plantain peel extract and silver nitrate nanoparticles could be valuable growth-enhancing agents in okra plant while contributing significantly to the physiological yield of the plant in terms of fiber and chlorophyll content. The study demonstrated the relevance of plantain peel (being solid wastes in the environment) and green-synthesized nanoparticle that could serve as cheap and eco-friendly growth enhancers in okra production.