PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY FOR VEGETABLES AND
SPICES
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Abelmoschus esculentus
Bhendi : Lady’s finger
Scientific name: Abelmoschus esculentus
Family: Malvaceae
Tropical and sub tropical Africa. India considered as second centre of origin. In
india major okra growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal.
Taxonomy
Belong to malvaceae, earlier placed under hibiscus esculentus. Known as the
mallow family, which includes well-known plants like hibiscus and cotton.
These plants typically have mucilaginous substances and a variety of leaf
forms. In hibiscus calyx is persistent because calyx stay with matured fruit.
Botany
Annual Herb, crop duration 90-100 days. Alternate leaves, bisexual
flower often cross pollinated, solitary flower, flower opens at 8-10 Am.
Dehiscence lasts for 20-30min often flower opening. It consists of fruit
capsule, also known as pod.
Bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus) noted for Chromosome Number
Variation. The most common chromosome number in Bhendi is 2n = 130,
though it can vary due to polyploidy (the condition where the number of
chromosomes is more than two complete sets). In some cases, variations
in chromosome numbers (ranging from diploid to polyploid forms) have
been observed, which is one of the reasons for the plant’s adaptability
and variation. For Colchicine treatment in Bhendi is a technique
commonly used in plant breeding to induce polyploidy.
Crop improvement:
Dr. Harbhajan Singh initiated crop improvement programme at IARI – New Delhi
YVMV – yellow vein mosaic virus, Parbhani Kranthi represents the success of
hybridization and breeding programs aimed at developing crop varieties that meet
the challenges posed by diseases like YVMV.
Climate
Typical tropical and sub tropical crop cannot tolerate Frost. Need high
temperature and abundant humidity. Easily damaged by low temperature.
Soil
Well-drained sandy loam or loamy soil is ideal. Heavy clay soils can hinder root
development and drainage. Bhendi prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally
between 6.0 and 6.8. Ensure the soil is rich in organic matter. Incorporate well-
rotted compost or farmyard manure before planting to improve fertility. Good
drainage is crucial as bhendi roots are sensitive to waterlogging. Raised beds can
help improve drainage in heavy soils. While bhendi needs consistent moisture,
avoid overwatering.
Seasons
Summer Season:
Primary Season: In most regions, bhendi is primarily grown during the summer
months, typically from March to July.
Temperature: It thrives in temperatures between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F).
Kharif Season:
In regions with a monsoon climate, bhendi can also be planted during the kharif
season, which usually starts with the onset of the monsoon in June and can
continue until September.
Spring Season:
In some areas with mild winters, bhendi can be sown in early spring, around
February or March, for an early harvest.
Winter Season:
In warmer climates, bhendi may also be grown in winter, especially in regions
where temperatures do not drop significantly.
Seed rate
For Direct Sowing:
Seed Rate: Approximately 10-12 kg of seeds per hectare (about 4-5 kg
per acre).
Row Spacing: Typically, seeds are sown in rows spaced about 60-75 cm
apart, with plants spaced 30-45 cm apart within the row.
For Transplanting:
If transplanting seedlings, the seed rate may be lower since you can
start with fewer seeds and select the healthiest plants for planting.
A seed rate of about 3-5 kg per hectare is generally sufficient.
Seed Quality: Always use high-quality seeds with good germination
rates to ensure successful planting.
Seed Treatment
Seed Selection:
Choose high-quality seeds from a reputable source with good germination rates. Soak seeds in water for
about 12-24 hours to enhance germination. Treat seeds with fungicides like Captan or Thiram to prevent
fungal diseases. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dosage. You can also use beneficial
microorganisms like Trichoderma or Rhizobium to enhance growth and disease resistance. After treatment,
dry the seeds in the shade before sowing to prevent clumping.
Manure And Fertilizers
1. Organic Manure:
Farmyard Manure: Apply well-rotted farmyard manure (FYM) at the rate of 20-25 tons per hectare during land
preparation. This improves soil structure and nutrient content. Use well-decomposed compost to enrich the soil.
2. Chemical Fertilizers:
Nitrogen (N): Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizers like urea at 50-100 kg per hectare, depending on soil fertility. Split
applications are recommended: half at planting and half during the flowering stage.
Phosphorus (P): Use superphosphate (50 kg/ha) to promote root development and flowering.
Potassium (K): Apply potassium chloride (30-50 kg/ha) for fruit development.
Micronutrients: Incorporate micronutrients like zinc and iron if a soil test indicates deficiencies. This can be
done using chelated forms or specific micronutrient mixture. Fertilizers should be applied during land
preparation and as top-dressing during the growing season, especially before flowering and fruiting. Soil
Testing: Conduct soil tests to tailor manure and fertilizer applications to the specific needs of your soil.
Irrigation
Immediately after sowing. Bhendi requires consistent moisture, particularly during
germination, flowering, and fruiting stages. Ideal soil moisture levels should be
maintained to prevent stress, which can lead to poor yields.
Weeding
Weeding Conduct the first weeding about 2-3 weeks after sowing. This is when the
weeds begin to emerge and before the bhendi plants grow too large. Subsequent
Weeding: Continue to weed every 2-4 weeks throughout the growing season,
especially during the early growth stages.
Weeding Methods Manual Weeding: Hand-pulling or using hand tools (e.g., hoes or
weeders) is effective, particularly in smaller plots. Be careful to avoid damaging
the bhendi roots while removing weeds.
Mechanical Weeding: In larger fields, use mechanical weeders or cultivators to
cover more ground efficiently. Mulching Applying organic mulch (e.g., straw, grass
clippings) around the plants can suppress weed growth and help retain soil
moisture.
Maturity:
Bhendi is typically ready for harvest 50-60 days after planting. The pods should be harvested when they are
about 2 to 4 inches long and still tender. Frequency Harvesting should be done every 2-3 days to encourage
more pod production and prevent over-ripening.
Harvesting Process:
Inspect Pods: Look for pods that are firm and green. Avoid pods that are too large, as they tend to be tough
and fibrous.
Cutting:
Cut the pod with a small portion of the stem attached. This helps to minimize damage to the plant.
Handle Gently Place harvested pods carefully into a basket to avoid bruising.
Post-Harvest Care:
Cleaning: Remove any dirt or debris from the pods. Storage Store the harvested bhendi in a cool, dry place. They
can be refrigerated to prolong freshness, typically for up to a week.
After Harvest Continued Care:
Continue to water and care for the plants to encourage further pod production. Monitor Pests: Check for
any pests or diseases that might affect remaining plants.
Diseases
Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV): Yellow vein mosaic virus transmitted
by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci). Symptoms: Yellowing of veins followed by
chlorosis of the entire leaf; stunted growth; malformed fruits. Use virus-
resistant varieties (e.g., Arka Anamika, Parbhani Kranti). Control whitefly
populations through insecticides like imidacloprid. Implement crop
rotation and remove infected plants to reduce viral load.
Damping Off: Causal Agents: Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, and
Phytophthora spp. Symptoms: Seedlings collapse and die, especially in
the early stages due to stem rot. Use well-drained soil and avoid
overwatering. Treat seeds with fungicides like captan or thiram before
sowing.
Seed yield
On an average bhendi yields 7.5-10 t/ha
Seed Production
400 foundation seed and 200 certified seed. Often cross pollinated and rouging is Rouging
is an important practice in seed production that involves the removal of off-type, diseased,
or undesirable plants from a seed production field to maintain the genetic purity and
quality of the crop. In the context of bhendi (okra) seed production, rouging helps ensure
the production of high-quality, genetically pure seeds that meet the standards for
commercial use.
Rouging should be done at multiple stages:
Vegetative Stage:
At this stage, remove plants that show unusual growth habits, like
excessive branching, dwarfing, or abnormalities in leaf shape or color.
Flowering Stage:
Remove plants that are off-type in terms of flower color, size, or pattern.
Also, remove plants that show signs of diseases, especially those caused by viruses, to
prevent them from contaminating the seed crop.
Fruit/Pod Stage:
At the pod formation stage, remove plants that produce abnormal or poorly
developed pods that differ in size, shape, or color from the desired variety.
CONCLUSION:-
• Lady’s finger (okra) is a highly valuable crop for both
small-scale and commercial farmers due to its fast growth,
relatively Abelmoschus
low input esculentus
requirements, and high nutritional
value. It thrives in warm climates, prefers well-drained
soils rich in organic matter, and requires consistent
moisture for optimal yield. By following proper
agricultural practices, such as timely sowing, pest and
disease management, and regular harvesting, farmers can
achieve a profitable harvest.
