Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is also known as Bhindi in India. Okra is an important summer vegetable, which is well-liked with spicy vegetables and soups. Okra seeds are rich in protein and are used to make edible oil. Okra is rich in vitamins, calcium, potassium, and other minerals. It is a rich source of iodine content which helps in goiter. India is a major country in the production of okra. In this chapter, you will learn about its cultivation.

Other Names-: Bhendi, Lady’s Finger

Botanical Name:- Abelmoschus esculentus

Family:- Malvaceae

Chromosome Number:- 2n=130

Origin:- Africa.

Important points

• Okra is a day-neutral crop
• Okra is often a cross-pollinated crop
• India is the largest producer of okra in the world.
• Okra contains higher Iodine content which helps in goitre.
• The major breeding objective is to develop varieties resistant to the Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV).
• Systemic research work was started by Dr. Harbhajan Singh.
• High temperature (Above 42⁰C) causes flower bud drops.
• The export standard size of okra is 6-8cm. long fruits.

Area and production

Economic importance and uses

• Okra contains 89 grams of moisture, 10.4 grams of dry matter, 1.9 grams of protein, 66 grams of calcium, 1.5mg of iron, 0.07mg of thiamin, 0.10mg of riboflavin and 13.0 mg of vitamin C each of 100g of the consumable portion.
• Green fruits are added to curries and are also used in soups.
• In the preparation of jaggery, roots, and stems are used to clean the sugarcane juice.
• Stems containing crude fibre are used in the paper industry.
• Dried seeds contain 13–22% edible oil and 20–24% protein.
• The seed cake is used as an animal feed.

Variety

1. Introduction

• Perkins Long Green:- Suitable for North Indian Hills
• Clemon’s Spineless

 2. Selection

• Pusa Makhmali
• Gujarat Bhindi No.1
• Co-1

 3. Hybrids

• Pusa Sawani :- Pusa Makhmali X IC 1542, Spinless, suitable for a larger range of pH and tolerant to salinity.
• Arka Anamika:- A. esculentus X A. manihot spp. tetraphyllus
• Arka Abhay:- A. esculentus (IIHR 20-31) X A. manihot spp. tetraphyllus, it is a sister line of Arka Anamica, quick branching after pruning.
• Punjab Padmani:- A. esculentus X A. manihot spp. manihot resistant to YVMV and tolerant to jassids and cotton bollworms.
• Parbhani Kranti:- A. esculentus cv. Pusa Sawani X A. manihot spp. Manihot
• Punjab -7:- A. esculentus cv. Pusa sawami X A. manihot ssp. Manihot
• Varsha Uphar (HRB 9-2): Lam selection 1 X Parbhani Kranti, resistant to YVMV and tolerant to leaf hopper
• Hisar Unnat (HRB-55): Selection 12-2 x Parbhani Kranti, resistant to YVMV, early variety.
• Panchali
• Adhunik
• Supriya
• Varsha

 4. Mutant

• MDU1 :- from Pusa sawani
• EMS 8
• Punjab-8(EM 58): from Pusa Sawani, resistant to YVMV and tolerant to fruit borer.

5. Yellow Vein mosaic virus resistant

• Arka Anamica
• Arka Abhay
• Hissar Barsati
• Varsha Upkar
• Pusa Sawani
• Punjab Padmani
• Prabhani Kranti
• Co-1:
• Azad Kranti
• Pusa A-4: resistant to YVMV and tolerant to jassids and shoot and fruit borer, quick branching after pruning.

Climate

Okra is a crop of tropical climate and requires a warm humid climate for best production. It is susceptible to drought and low temperatures (frost). The optimum temperature for okra crops is 20-30^oC. For seed germination, a temperature range between 25 and 35^oC is required. When in summer temperature goes above 42^oC flower buds drop causing yield losses.

Soil

It can be cultivated in all types of soils from sandy loam to clay. However, for good yield loose friable, well manured loamy soils have better drainage. The soil optimum pH for okra is 6-6.8.

Sowing time

• In plains, sowing is done in February-March for spring-summer crops and June-July for rainy-season crops.
• The crop sown earlier in the season will be less affected by YVMV than the July.
• In hilly regions, the crop is sown from April to July.
• In South India, it can sown round the year, because of the mild climate.

Seed rate

• The seed rate is 18-22 kg/ha for spring and summer crops and 8-10 kg /ha for rainy season or kharif crops.

Field Preparation

Soil should be plough once with a soil turning plough then 3-4 times with a desi plough or cultivator. At last ploughing 20-25 tons /ha FYM was added to the soil.

Seed sowing

Seeds are sown directly by seed drill, and hand dibbling in flat beds. Seeds are also sown on ridges it ensures proper germination; economic use of irrigation and helps in drainage during the rainy season.

Spacing

For the branching type, a plant spacing is kept at 60 X 30 cm, while for the non-branching type 45 X 30 cm. During the spring-summer season due to less plant growth spacing is kept at 45 x 20 cm or less.

Nutrition

The dose of manures and fertilizers depends upon the type of soil, generally, 25 tonnes/ha of FYM should be added at the time of the last ploughing. In addition to this, 125kg/ha N, 75kg/ha P, and 63 kg K/ha will be required in medium-nutrient soils. The full dose of P and K and a half of the nitrogen should be applied as basal dose at the time of sowing while the remaining half of the nitrogen should be given as top dressing 35-40 days after sowing.

Irrigation

During the rainy season, irrigate the crop as and when required. In spring and summer season the crop should be irrigated at an interval of 4-5 days. Drip irrigation is more beneficial in okra as compared to flooding. It increases considerable yield and saves 75-80% of irrigation water.

Weed control

About 2-3 weddings are required in the initial stage. Weedicides like Basalin @2.5 litre a.i/ha as pre-sowing soil application and Lasso @ 5 litre a.i/ha as post-sowing gives the best control to the maximum number of weeds.

Use of chemicals and growth regulators

Harvesting

Fruits are ready for harvesting 7-8 days from flowering. The fruits should be harvested when they are immature, green, and have 8 to 10cm. size. In general, harvesting is done on alternate days. Delay in harvesting causes fibrous and poor edible quality.

Yield

An average yield of 60-65 q/ha of green fruits during spring-summer and 90-120q/ha during the rainy season.

Physiological disorder

Poor Seed Germination

Seed germination is poor when soil temperature remains at or below 15⁰C. The problem occurs during early spring crop cultivation when seeds are to be sown at low-temperature conditions.

Management

• The seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours.
• The seeds are soaked in hot water at 45⁰C for 1 -2 hours.
• For half an hour seed should be treated with alcohol.

Insect Pest and Management

1. Stem and fruit borer (Earias vittela):- The caterpillar of the insect feeds on growing points of the plant and bores the flower buds and young fruit.

Control

• Spraying the crop with 0.1% Carbaryl or Monocrotphos 0.1%.

2. Jassids or Leaf hoppers (Amarasca biguttula):- This is a serious pest of okra. They suck the sap from the tender leaves, causing curling of leaves and burning effects on the edges.

Control

• Spray crop with phosphomidone or oxymethyl demetone 0.5%.

3. Leaf Weevil: – The adult of the pest eats leaf tissue and makes holes.

Control

• Spray the crop with 0.1 % Monocrotophos, or Rogor or Parathion.

Disease Management

1. Powdery Mildew: – Initial symptoms are shown on the lower surface of the leaves as blotches of white powdery coating appear. Later leaves turn yellow and drop.

Control

• Spray as soon as the disease is noticed with 30 gm. Wettable Sulphur or 5ml Dinocop in 10 litre of water.

2. Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus: – This is a serious disease of okra that is transmitted by white flies. Leaves as well as fruits of the plant turn yellow and fruiting is also affected.

Control

• Uproot and destroyed the affected plant as soon as noticed.
• Grow disease-resistant varieties like Pusa Sawani, Arka Anamika, Arka Abhay, Hissar Barsati, Varsha Uphar, etc.
• Control vector by spraying the crop with Monocrotophos 0.1% or Dimethoate.