A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Chlormequat Chloride (CCC) Application and Terminal Apex Excision to Restrict Plant Height in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench.) and Optimize Yield

In this paper, two methods for restricting plant height, namely CCC application and excision of the main shoot apex, were applied to okra cv. 'Boyiatiou' with the aim of assisting crop management and optimizing yield. Apex excision 26 or 40 days after transplantation (DAT) effectively restricted plant height, but either had no effect or reduced the number of side shoots per plant. CCC application reduced plant height due to a reduction in internode length; however, when applied at the time of transplantation or 26 DAT it also caused a reduction in node number on the main stem. The authors conclude that the application of 500 ppm CCC at 40 DAT may aid okra cultivation since it reduces overall plant size without adversely affecting yield, and may thus assist crop management and permit an increase in plant density.