Okra
Crop Overview
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an important vegetable crop in India. The okra crop is affected by the most serious pests like thrips, jassids, white fly, aphids, spotted boll worm and aphids and diseases like root knot nematodes, yellow vein mosaic viruses, wilt and root rot. These pests and diseases are reduced marketable yield from 20-80% range. The ecofriendly management of these pests and diseases are very important from quarantine point of view and residue free harvests for successful okra fruits export to European Union and other countries.
Major Pests & Damage
Spotted bollworm
(Earias insulana)
Jassids
(Amrasca biguttula)
Mites
(Tetranychus cinnabarinus)
Heliothis
(Helicoverpa armigera)
White Fly
(Bemisia tabaci)
Aphid
(Aphis gossypii)
Thrips
(Thrips palmi)
Major Diseases
Root Knot Nematodes
Meloidogyne spp.)
Root symptoms induced by root-knot cause swollen areas (galls) on the roots of infected plants. Gall size may range from a few spherical swellings to extensive areas of elongated, convoluted, tumorous swellings that result from exposure to multiple and repeated infections.
Root Rot
(Macrophomina phaseolina)
The leaves of infected plants became yellow and wilting, and roots of infected plants were brown. As the disease progressed, entire shoots and branches turned brown and died.
Yellow Vein Mosaic Viruses
(Monopartite Begomovirus)
Yellowing of the entire network of veins in the leaf blade is the characteristic symptom. In severe infections the younger leaves turn yellow, become reduced in size and the plant is highly stunted. The veins of the leaves will be cleared by the virus and interveinal area becomes completely yellow or white.
Wilt
(Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum)
The affected plants are stunted. The leaves turn yellow, wilt and are later shed. Usually the lower leaves are the first affected. When a stem or the main root is cut crosswise, brown discoloration is usually found in the ring just beneath the bark.
Major Diseases
Root Knot Nematodes
Meloidogyne spp.)
Root symptoms induced by root-knot cause swollen areas (galls) on the roots of infected plants. Gall size may range from a few spherical swellings to extensive areas of elongated, convoluted, tumorous swellings that result from exposure to multiple and repeated infections.
Root Rot
(Macrophomina phaseolina)
The leaves of infected plants became yellow and wilting, and roots of infected plants were brown. As the disease progressed, entire shoots and branches turned brown and died.
Yellow Vein Mosaic Viruses
(Monopartite Begomovirus)
Yellowing of the entire network of veins in the leaf blade is the characteristic symptom. In severe infections the younger leaves turn yellow, become reduced in size and the plant is highly stunted. The veins of the leaves will be cleared by the virus and interveinal area becomes completely yellow or white.
Wilt
(Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum)
The affected plants are stunted. The leaves turn yellow, wilt and are later shed. Usually the lower leaves are the first affected. When a stem or the main root is cut crosswise, brown discoloration is usually found in the ring just beneath the bark.
Nutritional Deficiency
Zinc
Sulphur
