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Abstract
Okra is one of the widely grown vegetables for the commercial market in the United
States Virgin Islands and the rest of the Caribbean. Plant biostimulants or agricultural
biostimulants include diverse substances and microorganisms that are derived from commercial
marine algae extracts, enhance plant growth of fruits and vegetables. Plants of eight cultivars of
okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) were treated weekly with Stimplex® (5 mL/L) liquid seaweed
extract of Ascophyllum nodosum and Biozest® (100 mL/5L) crop hiostimulant as foliar spray to
assess their influence on yields. Half of the plants in a row (5 plants) were sprayed weekly and
half of the plants (5plants) were untreated (control). Eight cultivars of okra ca. Clemson Spineless
80, Red Burgundy, Clemson Spineless, Jambalaya, Red Velvet, Annie Oakley II, Perkins
Mammoth and Chant were investigated. The experimental design was a randomized complete
block with 3 replications and consisted of rows spaced 3' apart and spaced 2' between the plants
within a row. They were organically managed. Results showed that Biozest® treated plants of
most of the cultivars responded positively. Marketable yields were higher with Biozest® treated
plants of Clemson Spineless 80 (0.5%), Annie Oakley II (27.9%), Perkins Mammoth (49%),
jambalaya (41.2), Chant (16%) and Red Burgundy (60%) than with the untreated control. Higher
marketable yields were obtained with Stimplex® treated plants of Jambalaya (62%), Red
Burgundy (58%) and Perkins Mammoth (30%) than with the untreated control. Cultivars produced
lower or non-significant yields with Clemson Spineless 80, Clemson Spineless, Red Velvet, Annie
Oakley II and Chant. The results show that biostimulants may increase yields in okra. However,
further research trials are needed to fully explain the effects of biostimulants in commercial
production.