Early production of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) fruits under Siwa oasis conditions

The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Research Station of Siwa Oasis, Desert Research Center in 2014 and 2015 growing seasons to study the effect of three transplanting dates ( mid of February, first of March and mid of March) and three transplants ages (2 Weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks) on growth and yield of okra plants under Siwa conditions. The results indicated that late transplanting on mid of March enhanced transplants survival ratio and increased plant height, leaf number, plant fresh weight 45 days after transplanting and total yield followed by transplanting on fist of March, while early transplanting date on mid of February produced the lowest values in this respect. On other hand early transplanting on mid of February increased early yield compared with other transplanting dates. Six weeks transplants age produced the highest transplants survival ratio, vegetative growth 45 days after transplanting and early yield, however, four weeks transplanting age also enhanced vegetative growth and produced the highest total yield compared with two weeks transplants age which produced the lowest transplant survival ratio, vegetative growth, total and early yield in both growing seasons.