http://dbtbiosafety.nic.in/guidelines/okra.

pdf

Manuring and fertilization

The farmyard manure should be mixed in soil at
the time of land preparation along with whole
quantity of P and K. Half of N should be added
to the soil before sowing, while one-fourth
before flowering as side-dressing and one-
fourth in 3 consecutive foliar sprays (1% urea)
at 10 days interval during fruiting. Okra
responds to 150kg N/ha depending on genotype
and soil fertility. Similarly soils deficient in P
and K improve fruiting and fruit quality when
these are applied to the soil externally.
Moreover fruiting and fruit appearance are also
improved. With the advent of high-yielding
varieties and hybrids, their nutritional
requirement has gone higher.
Aftercare
Thin out the closely germinated plants at one
true leaf stage. Proper weed management in
okra could save up to 90% crop losses due to
weeds. A total of 3–4 weedings starting from 20
days after sowing are required till the crop
covers the soil surface. Use of weedicides
reduces the number of weedings to zero during
summer and 1 during kharif (rainy) season.
Fluchloralin (Basalin 48ec) @ 1.2kg/ha as
Pendimethalin (Stomp 30ec) @ 0.75kg/ha as
post sowing and pre-emergence soil surface
spray gives initial control of dicot weeds,
though one weeding may be needed in kharif
crop.
Okra could be taken in different cropping
systems. In sequential cropping, potato–carrot–
okra; okra–potato–tomato; cauliflower–tomato–
okra; groundnut– greens–wheat–okra; okra–
palak–potato–muskmelon and okra–radish–
cauliflower– squash–cowpea give crop security
and higher income/unit area. Okra + radish and
okra + Frenchbean give higher returns than
solo crop. They respond to higher doses of NPK
indicating better utilization of fertilizers under
intercropping. Okra could give 300–500% crop
land-use efficiency as an intercrop in cassava
and cucurbits. Growing okra–cowpea–maize,
maize–okra–radish and okra–okra–radish
reduces bacterial wilt in tomato and brinjal
taken as succeeding crop.
Irrigation
First irrigation should be given when first true
leaf initiates in spring-summer and when it
expands in kharif (rainy) season. Subsequent
irrigations at 4–5 days interval are given to
summer crop. If temperature goes around
40°C, frequent light irrigations are
recommended to help proper fruiting. Thus soil
should be kept moist and flooding or wilting of
plants should be avoided. Drip irrigation saves
around 85% water requirement though it is not
yet commercial in okra. Furrow system is better
than flood system. Mositure stress during
flowering and fruit/seed setting causes around
70% crop losses. The nutrient uptake from soil
is also at peak during fruit set and development
stages. A water stress in the field during this
period not only causes yield reductions but also
affects the nutritional status of the fruits.
Harvesting and Postharvest management
Early harvesting gives lower yields of tender
fruits with shorter shelf-life. In general,
harvesting on every alternate day is advisable.
A cheap hand glove or cloth bag should be used
to protect fingers. Harvesting in the morning is
convenient. For distant markets, harvesting late
during evening and transporting during night is
also advised
The fruits are graded. For processing industry
and fresh fruit export 6–8cm long fruits are
sorted out. Longer fruits are used for fresh
market. For local market, fruits are cooled
(preferably) and filled in jute bags or baskets,
covered or sewed and then water sprinkled over
it. This helps in cooling as well as in turgidity of
fruits which tightens the pack and saves
product from bruises, blemishes and
blackening. In air-tight containers the fruits
may turn pale during transit due to heat
generated by them. For export, suitable size
perforated paper cartons are taken and
precooled fruits are packed and transported in
refrigerated vans. Export market requires
tender, dark green, straight, short (6–8cm)
fruits.
OKRA

Introduction
Crop varieties
Conventional
practices
Suitable agro
climatic conditions
Suitable soils
Preparation of land
Soil sterilization
Planting
Drip system
requirements
Irrigation scheduling
Advantages of drip
irrigation
Application of
fertilizers
Weed control
Plant protection
Harvesting, yield
and quality control
 Post harvest
handling and
storage
Cost economics
Contact Address

Introduction
Okra, or Ladies finger, which is also known as
‘ Bhindi ', is one of the important vegetables
of India. It is grown throughout the tropical
and sub-tropical regions and also in the
warmer parts of the temperate regions. The
nutritional value of 100g of edible okra is
characterized 1.9 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 6.4 g
carbohydrate, 0.7 g minerals and 1.2 g fibers.
Okra has a good potential as a foreign
exchanger crop and accounts for 60% of the
export of fresh vegetables. It is cultivated in
0.349 M ha area with the production of 3.344
M mt and productivity of 9.6 mt/ha. The major
okra producing states are Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka. In West Bengal, 0.662 M mt of
Okra is produced from 58,400 ha with an
average productivity of 11.4 mt/ha. The crop
is also used in paper industry as well as for
the extraction of fiber.

Crop varieties
Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentum (L.) Moench.)
plant belongs to the family Malvaceae. The crop
varieties are Kamini, Pusa Mukhamali, Parbhani
Kranti, etc. are commonly cultivated varieties.

Conventional practices
Generally farmers grow locally available
varieties with check basin or furrow method
of irrigation. Standard practices of nutrient
and plant protection measures are rarely
adopted.

Suitable agro climatic conditions

Okra is a warm-weather crop. It can be
grown in the temperature range from 22 o to
35 o C. Okra is susceptible to frost and cold
injury below 12 o C temperature.
Suitable soils
Okra can be grown on a wide range of soils, having
good internal drainage. Soils with high organic
matter are preferred. Application of lime or dolomite
may be done in acid soil to bring the pH in the
range of 6.0 - 6.5.

Preparation of land
Intensive tillage is required for the land
preparation of Okra. Deep (20-25 cm)
ploughing followed by cross harrowing is done
to make the soil friable and loose. One or two
plankings are also needed to make the soil
surface smooth and level.

Soil sterilization
The sterilization of the soil can be achieved by
both physical and chemical means. Physical
control measures include treatments with
steam and solar energy. Chemical control
methods include treatments with herbicides
and fumigants. Soil sterilization can also be
achieved by using transparent plastic mulch
film, which is termed as soil solarization.
During soil solarization, the incoming solar
radiation penetrates the transparent plastic
film and is absorbed in the soil. The absorbed
radiation converts into heat energy, which
raises the soil temperature and kills many
soil-borne organisms including plant
pathogens and pests.

Planting
Sowing is done in two seasons: end of
January for the summer crop and end of May
for the rainy season crop. The seed rate for
the summer crop is 18 to 20 kg /ha and 10 to
12 kg /ha for the rainy season crop. A spacing
of 60 x 45 cm or 60 x 30 cm is generally
adopted.

Drip system requirement

Area: 1 ha, planting geometry: 60cm x 30cm.
Variable Items: 75 mm F PVC/HDPE pipe-54 m, 75
mm F PVC/HDPE pipe-102 m, 12mm F LDPE
Lateral-8400 m, Online dripper (2 l/h)-13,888 Nos.,
Control valve- 2 Nos., Flush valve- 2 Nos.,
Tees/bends-1 No., Accessories.
Fixed Items : Screen filter (15m 3 / h) -1 No.,
Bypass assembly: 1 No., Fertilizer applicator –1
No., Accessories.

Irrigation scheduling
The crop requires adequate moisture in the soil
during summer months for faster growth. Drip
irrigation is most suitable to the crop as it provides
uniform moisture throughout the season. The daily
water requirement of Okra crop is 2.4 l/day/4 plants
during early growth stage and 7.6 l/day/4 plants
during the peak growth stage. The irrigation system
should be operated daily for 75 minutes during
initial growth stage and for 228 minutes during peak
growth of the crop with an emitter capacity of 2 lph.
Irrigation on each day or on alternate days with On-
line type of drippers is preferred.

Advantages of drip Irrigation

• Saves water.
• Enhances plant growth and yield.
• Saves energy and labour.
• Most suited for soils having low water holding
capacity on undulating terrain.
• Reduces weed growth.
• Improves fertilizer application efficiency.
• Improves quality of produce.
• Reduces salt concentration in the root zone.

Application of fertilizers
In order to maximize the yield about 30 t of FYM,
350 kg Super phosphate, 125 kg Murate of Potash
and 300 kg Ammonium sulphate should be applied
in the rows before sowing for one hectare of land.
Nitrogen should be applied through fertigation in
three split doses.

Weed control
As Okra is harvested over a long period, weed
control happens to be an important cultural
operation. Shallow rooted inter-row
cultivation and hand weeding may be used to
minimize weeds in the inter row zone. Black
plastic mulch may be used to suppress weed
growth. The black plastic mulch also keeps
the soil warm and encourages plant growth.

Plant protection
The control measures for insects, pests and
disease depend upon type and intensity of the
problems. The control measures for the main pests
and diseases are stated below.
Flea beetles is the major insect for Okra. This can
be controlled with row covers or applications of
Rotenone or Pyrethrin. Okra is susceptible to
diseases such as Verticillium, Fusarium and
several other fungal diseases in wet season. These
diseases can be controlled by proper crop rotation
and good garden sanitation practices.

Harvesting, yield and quality control

Okra is harvested in 60 to 70 days after
planting when pods are 2 to 3 inches long. At
this stage the pods are still tender. Larger
okra pods will tend to be tough and fibrous.
Round-podded okra varieties remain tender at
larger pod sizes and are good to use for
slicing and freezing. Since, Okra grows very
fast, it should be harvested every two days.
The pods should not be allowed to mature on
the plant because this will inhibit more pods
from developing and reduce the productivity
of the plant. Handling of okra should be done
carefully because the pods bruise easily. The
yield of Okra varies from 5 - 7 t/ha in
summer to 8 - 10 t/ha in the rainy season.

Post harvest handling and storage

Okra has a short storage life. A fresh good
pod can be stored for 7-10 days at 7-10 0 C
temperature and 90-95% relative humidity.
At temperatures below 7 0 C Okra is
subjected to chilling injury, which results in
surface discoloration, pitting and decay.

Cost economics
Area: 1 ha. Planting geometry: 60cm x 30cm.
Fixed cost of drip system: Rs. 99,366
Rate of interest 10.5%, Life of system 7.5 years
Annual cost of drip System: Rs. 14,287
 Cost of cultivation: Rs. 11,500
Expected yield: 17 t/ha
Expected Benefit Cost ratio: 2.2

Contact Address:
Dr. K. N. Tiwari
Professor & Principal Investigator
Precision Farming Development Centre
Agricultural & Food Engineering Department
IIT Kharagpur (W.B.) 721 302
Tel: 03222-283150 (O)/ 283151 (R)
Fax: 03222-282244 (O)
mail: kamlesh@agfe.iitkgp.ernet.in pfdc_khar
agpur@yahoo.com

cientific : Abelmoschus
Name Esculentus
Family : Malvaceae
Colour : Green to dark green
Common : Okra, Ladies finger,
names Okoro, Gumbo,
Bhindi (India)
Best : Throughout the
Season year
Nutritiona : 33 kcal, 7.6 g
l Value carbohydrate, 2.4 g
protein, 70 mg
calcium 31 mg
vitamin C, 0.32 mg
vitamin A, 0.17 mg
vitamin B1, 0.21 mg
vitamin B2, per 100 g
serving.
Okra is a tall growing warm season annual with
ornamental value, native to Africa. They are
known by different names and comes in a
number of varieties which vary in plant size,
shape, pod type, colour and the number of
spines. Dwarf varieties without spines and with
smooth green pods are best for home gardens.
This upright plant grows 3-6 feet or more in
height, some African varieties up to 12 feet,
with a base stem of 4 inches in diameter. The
woody stems bear leaves that are lobed and are
generally hairy, some reaching up to 12 inches
in length. The flowers are large around 2inches
in diameter, yellowish hibiscus like, with red or
purple centers which will last only for a day.
Each blossom develops a small green pod. The
fruits are green to dark green, sometimes
yellow to red; long, conical and ridged. Okra
contains moderate levels of vitamin A and
vitamin C.
Propagation and Planting :
Propagation is through seeds. Soak seeds
overnight in warm water before sowing to
improve germination. Seeds can be sown 1 inch
deep in pots or seed trays or directly on the
ground 12 to 18 inches apart or three to four
seeds per foot, in single rows. Seedlings are
ready for transplanting when they reach a
height of 10-15cm. Rows should be kept 3 to 5
feet apart. Plants branch out only when they
reach a height of 30-40cm.
Okras grow well in warm weather. They should
be planted in full sun. The soil for growing okras
should be fertile, well drained, high in organic
matter with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 6.5. Soil
should be well prepared several weeks before
planting by adding well rotted
manure, compost or any other organic matter
and a balanced fertilizer. Lime or dolomite can
be added to get the required ph level of the
soil.
The soil should be kept moist by regular
watering. Water the soil not the plant directly.
But the plant does not tolerate excessive
moisture. Regular watering and light
fertilization occasionally gives better yield.
Always water after fertilizing. Okra will start
yielding about 60 days after planting. Fruits
should be picked when they are 3-4 inches long
and still tender. They become tough and stringy
as they mature. Seeds for the next season can
be obtained by not picking some of the pods till
they reach the full size. Then dry the pods, shell
the seeds and save the seeds in an
airtight container.
Problems and Care :
Keep the area around the okra plants weed
free. Remove weeds and grass close to the
plant carefully by hand without damaging the
roots. Plants are susceptible to stem rot, so
when you must water, soak the soil, not the
plant. Yields will increase if plants are watered
deeply. To reduce the potential for fruit rot
problems, be sure that plants have good air
circulation.
Some of the many insect pests which may
attack okra are silver leaf whitefly, heliothis,
stink bugs, rough bollworm, looper caterpillars
and green vegetable bugs. Aphids and mites
may also occur on okra crops. Aphids can be
washed off with a steady stream of water or
sprayed with soap spray. Stink bugs are more
difficult to control. These can be hand picked
and destroyed. Loopers can be controlled with
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).
If the pods/ fruits are not picked on time and
allowed to mature on the plant, flowering and
further production will be reduced. Branch
thinning or cutting off branches may be
necessary to control dense growth of the plant.