OICC Press International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 2251-7715 15 3 2026 09 30 Effect of Vermicompost on Growth Performance of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) 10.57647/ijrowa.2026.1503.29 EN Krishanthiny Ravivarman Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Eastern University, Sri Lanka Sagarika Kannangara Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka Thavanayagam Mathiventhan Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Eastern University, Sri Lanka Journal Article 2026 09 30 Purpose: Vermicompost is one of the alternative nutrient sources for crop plants as an organic amendment. This study evaluated the effect of vermicompost on the growth and performance of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Method: A Randomized Complete Block Design with eleven treatments were applied to 5 kg of processed soil. Treatments consisted of three levels of vermicompost (50 g, 100 g, and 150 g) alone and combined with two levels of urea (2 g, 4 g), including positive (8 g urea only) and negative (soil only) controls. Treatment codes were: T1-T3: VC alone, T4-T6: 4 g urea + VC, T7-T9: 2 g urea + VC, T10: 8 g urea (positive), and T11: 5 kg soil (negative control). Each treatment had five replicates and was applied during transplanting, three, and five weeks after transplanting. Growth and yield parameters were recorded from 10 to 70 Days after planting and analyzed using Minitab 15. Results: The combination of 2 g urea with 150 g VC (T9) showed significantly higher performance in most of the growth and yield parameters (mean values of plant height: 54.8±4.76 cm, stem circumference: 2.84±0.09 cm, number and length of pods: 7±2.0 and 17.8±1.4 cm, and fresh and dry weight:128.4±8.3 g and 22.72±1.23 g). Plants treated with 100 g VC alone (T2) took a minimum day for flowering (43 days). Conclusion: Vermicompost supplemented with a lesser amount of urea (T9: 2 g urea with 150 g VC) enhanced the growth and yield of okra, promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices.