Effect of Simulated Acid Rain on Growth and Micronutrient Uptake of Okra (abelmoschus Esculentus) on Coastal Plain Sands in Abia State, South - Eastern, Nigeria

The study was conducted in April 2019 at Umudike to examine the impact of simulated acid rain (SAR) and frequency of SAR spray on growth and micronutrients content of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) in an ultisol at Umudike. The treatments consisted of three (3) pH levels: Coca-cola solution (pH 2.7) and SAR (pH 3.5 and 5.5) as well as control (water) and, three (3) frequency of foliar spray at 1, 2 and 3 day weekly, arranged according to their respective pH values and spray treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated three times. Plant leaves were analysis for micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) content. The result shows that, under the stress of SAR and frequency of SAR application, growth parameters measured, leaf number, shoot height and leaf area were significantly reduced, compared to the control treatment. Nutritional analysis of the leaves also revealed that the content micronutrients in okra, increased with a declining pH value of AR and frequency of application, from pH 5.5 to pH 2.7. Coke solution (pH 2.7) and three (3) days per weekly application of SAR gave the highest reduction in plant growth parameter in Okra but, had higher increased in micronutrients content, respectively. A further result showed that okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is resistant to SAR from pH ≥5.5 in terms of growth and nutritional values.