Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Abdul Khalil Gardezi
Postgraduate College in Agriculture Science, Mexico
Keynote: Sewage water effects on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) growth affected by organic matter and Pseudomonas fluorescens
Biography:
Abdul Khalil Gardezi is a Distinguished Scientist and Academic Member of the Hydro Science Center, Postgraduate College in Agriculture Science in Mexico, since 1981. He has received distinctions for teaching, research and service from 1988 until 2017. He has been selected for the originality of his research, presented as the best paper and oral presentation from 2003 to 2017 in international congresses in Australia, Canada. China, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico and USA. He has published more than 190 papers national and internationally. He has been honored among 2000 outstanding intellectuals of the 21st century by the International Biographical Center Cambridge, England.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a tropical crop, member of the Malvaceae family. Its fruits are grown and widely used in many countries of Asia and Africa. India is the main producer. It is cultivated in Mexico in small plots with scarce know-how. A sustainable and low-cost technology is needed to increase the profits of the farmers. Pseudomonas fluorescens have been used to increase germination and for biological control of pathogenic fungus.
Materials & Methods: The study was done under greenhouse conditions. Two soils were used. One came from a parcel irrigated with sewage water and the other one was irrigated with clean water from a well. Half of the treatments were inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens. Four doses of vermicompost were applied as a source of organic matter.
Findings: There were significant differences (p≤0.05) in most variables recorded due to the treatments. The soil irrigated with contaminated water only affected root length and fruit number. The plants inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens had better shoot and root growth, and fruit number, but it had no effect on fruit weight (p≤0.05). Vermicompost, as source of organic matter, also had a positive effect on Okra growth. Fruit number, and their dry weight augmented with the application of the lowest quantity of organic matter used (25 t ha-1).
Conclusion & Significance: Irrigation with sewage water, inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens, and lower quantities of vermicompost can be used to increase the yields of okra. The use of Pseudomonas fluorescens can help to overcome the negative effects of contaminated waters, and other environmental and biological stresses. Recommendations are made to validate this results under field conditions.