(IPPM) in Vegetables - Vegetableipmasia.org

Resource Manual on IPPM in Vegetable
World Education Philippines, Inc.
F. OTHER VEGETABLE CROPS
1. OKRA Abelmoschus esculentus
a. Introduction
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), thought to be of African origin, was brought to the
United states three centuries ago by African slaves. The word, derived from the West
African nkruma, was in use by the late 1700s. Grown in tropical and warm temperate
climates, it is in the same family as the hibiscus and cotton plants.
Okra is an erect, stout, annual herb averaging 1.5 m in height. The leaves are spreading
and are spirally arranged with yellow solitary flower in leaf axils. The fruit is a
cylindrical or pyramidal capsule usually green, greenish-purple or completely purple
when young, and brownish when mature. Okra is mainly grown for its young immature
fruits which are consumed raw, cooked or fried. The fruits can also be dried or pickled.
b. Climate and Soil Requirements
Okra is a tropical plant requiring warm growing
conditions. Minimum soil temperature for germination is
15 o C. Optimum soil temperature range is 24-32 o C.
Well-drained, sandy soils are preferred. Addition of
manure or other organic material is usually beneficial on
such light-textured soils. Okra grows best in neutral to
slightly alkaline soils with the pH of 6.5-7.5.
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