Row orientation affects fruit yield in field-grown okra

Effects of row orientation on fruit yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench) were studied. Plants in north-south (N-S) rows produced more fruit than those in east-west (E-W) rows. Amounts of photosynthetic (400-700 nm) and morphogenic light (farred to red light ratio [FR/R]) received by plants grown in N-S and E-W rows were also determined. The mean amounts of photosynthetic light received by plants grown in E-W and N-S oriented rows were similar. Reflected light received by plants in N-S rows had a higher FR/R ratio than that received by plants in E-W rows. We conclude that row orientation affected yield of okra by influencing the morphogenic light received by plants.