Cultivation technique of okra
Introduction
Botanical name : Abelmoschus esculentus
Family : Malvaceae
Origin: Africa
2n= 130
Edible part: Fruit
Colour of flowers: Yellow
It is a day neutral plant.
It is a often cross pollinated vegetable.
India is the largest producer in the world.
Dr. Harbhajan Singh started systematic research work on Bhindi.
The most breeding objective of okra is development of resistant to
YVMV.(yellow vein mosaic virus)
Uses
The roots & stems are used for clarification of sugarcane juice.
It is an important vegetable crop in summer and rainy seasons throughout India.
The medicinal properties of Okra is associated with genito urinary disorders & chronic dysentry.
It is grown for its green, tender & nutritive fruits which are used for canning & frozen despite the use as vegetable.
The stems are used for extraction of fibre.
High iodine content of fruits helps in controlling goitre.
Climate
Warm season vegetable crop.
In India it is grown is summer months and during the rainy season.
It is highly sensitive to frost.
Seed germination is best at temperature 25 -30oC and fails below 17oC.
When the day temperature exceeds 42oC, there is flower drop.
Soil & Its Preparation
• In all kinds of soil.
• But sandy loam and clay-loam soils are best for its cultivation.
•Optimum pH range is 6-6.8.
• land preparation- 5 to 6 ploughings.
• FYM or Compost should be incorporated during land preparation.
Alos Read : Cultivation Techniques of Cucumber
Varieties:
(A) Selection : Pusa Makhmali
(B)Introduction : Clemon’s Spineless, Perkins Long Green
(C) Hybrid : Pusa Sawani : (Pusa Mukhmali x IC-1542)
Punjab Padmani: A. esculentus x A. manihot spp. manihot
Parbhani Kranti: A. esculentus x A. manihot spp. manihot
Arka Anamica: A. esculentus x A. manihot spp. tetraphyllus
Arka Abhay: A. esculentus x A. manihot spp. manihot
(D) YVMV resistant varieties
Arka Anamica, Arka Abhay,
Parbhani Kranti, Pusa Sawani
Punjab Padmani, Varsha Upkar, Hisar Barsati
(E) IIVR,Varanasi :
Kashi Pragati, Kashi Kranti,
Kashi Satdhari, Kashi Vibhuti,
Kashi Shitala
Seed Rate & Sowing Time
For kharif season seeds are sown in the month of June - July.
The seed rate for rainy season is 8 to 10 kg.
For summer season it is sown in the month of January-February.
The seed rate for summer season is 20 kg/ha.
For winter season it is sown in August- September.
Layout And Spacing
Ridges & furrow type of layout is used.
For summer crop spacing is 45x30 cm.
For rainy season crop spacing is 60 x 45 cm.
Manure & Fertilizers
Well rotten FYM- 20 to 25 tonnes/ha mixed with soil during field preparation.
In general 100kg N, 60kg P2O5 & 50 kg K2O is sufficient for one hectare.
Irrigation
First irrigation is given just after sowing and then the field is irrigated after 4 to 5 days in summer and 10 to 12 days in winter season.
Intercultural Operations
Weeding, thinning and earthling up is the important intercultural operations in bhindi.
Earthing up in the rows should be done in rainy season crop.
Application of herbicides for controlling weeds in bhindi is found effective.
Basalin (Fluchloralin 48 %) @ 1-2 liter per hectare.
Harvesting
Flowering begins from 35 to 40 days after sowing
fruits are ready for harvest four to five days after flowering.
Okra pods may be harvested continuously at some intervals.
The young fruits can be harvested in the morning.
Delay in harvesting may make the fruits fibrous and they loose their tenderness and taste.
Manure & Fertilizers
Rainy season crop- 90 to120 q/ha.
Summer crop- 60 to 65 q/ha.
Duration is 100 & 90 days respectively.
Plant Protection Measures
