| Okra |
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Okra is a warm season plant in the hibiscus family. The immature pods are used in soups, stir fries, and stews. The mucilage in okra acts as a thickening agent in soups, such as gumbo. It is a popular crop among many new immigrant groups in New England, including Asian Indians and Brazilians. Varieties
Spacing and SeedingSeeds are sometimes soaked in water for 24 hours due to their hard seed coat to encourage germination in the soil. They can also be started in the greenhouse and transplanted into the field. LimeApply lime according to soil test to maintain a soil pH at 6.5 to 7.0. FertilizerIf plants are to be grown on plastic mulch, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer to be sidedressed can be reduced, since leaching is minimized. If using transplants, apply a liquid fertilizer at transplanting, especially with cool soil conditions. Use a high phosphorous starter fertilizer mixed at a rate of 3 lb/50 gal water. Apply 8 fl oz (1 cup) per transplant. HarvestFlowering will occur as soon as 45 days after seeding, depending on the variety, and pods are ready for harvest 5 to 6 days after flowering. Tenderness of the pod decreases as they increase in size. Most varieties will lose their tenderness, desired by the market, when they exceed 3” in length. For this reason okra plantings must be picked almost every other day. Pods are harvested by twisting them off the plant or cutting with a knife.
Weed ControlSuggestions for weed managment in okra include use of the Stale Seedbed Technique, use of plasticulture, and trifluralin (Treflan). Both glyphosate (Roundup) and pelargonic acid (Scythe) are registered for stale seedbed use. Flaming can also be used. Stale seed beds can be used between plastic mulch (be careful with flaming as it melts the plastic). Some handweeding may be needed in the planting holes as okra grows slowly at first after transplanting, simliar to peppers. Apply the plastic at least two to three weeks prior to planting and kill the weeds between the mulch prior to setting the okra plants on the plastic. Plasticulture is preferred for okra since it is such a warm season crop. Trifluralin (Treflan) is also registered for weed control. Since it must be incorporated, however, it is not feasible to incorporate it between the plastic. On bare ground culture, incorporate Treflan two to three weeks prior to transplanting. Use Roundup, flaming, or Scythe prior to transplanting (stale bed). After transplanting, keep cultivations shallow to protect crop roots. NOTE: For the herbicides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 17 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients. Insect ControlNOTE: For the insecticides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 20 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients. AphidsFor more information see aphids in the Pepper section. Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol O): 8 to 32 oz/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 22). Treat when populations are low and thoroughly cover foliage. Takes 7 to 10 days after the first spray to see control. Repeat applications may be needed. OMRI listed. pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Corn Earwormscarbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1 to 1 1/2 qt/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 1A). indoxacarb (Avaunt): 3.5 oz/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 22). methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 10 to 16 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 18). Insect growth regulator. Works on all instars. Feeding stops within hours but death takes several days. pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). spinetoram (Radiant SC): 5 to 10 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). spinosad (Entrust): 0.5 to 1 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). OMRI listed. Japanese BeetlesBeetles migrate from turf or pastures starting in July and skeletonize leaves. Foliage can be protected with spinosad or spinetoram (SpinTor, Entrust or Radiant). pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Two-spotted Spider MiteOutbreaks are often caused by the use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Two-spotted spider mites (TSSM) tend to be prone to pesticide resistance. Watch for white speckling on the upper surface of leaves or webbing on the undersurface around leaf veins. Avoid early-season, broad-spectrum insecticide applications for other pests. Use selective products whenever possible. With most miticides (not bifenazate), use 2 applications, approximately 5 to 7 days apart, to help control immature mites that were in the egg stage and protected during the first application. Alternate between products after 2 applications to help prevent or delay resistance. For more information on TSSM see the Eggplant section. Stink BugsStink bugs may feed on blossoms, buds or fruit. Bugs migrate into fields from weedy borders in dry seasons. Border treatments are often adequate to manage this pest. Reduced-tillage and increased use of cover crops may increase damage by providing hiding places within fields. Natural enemies in the field usually contain outbreaks if they are not disrupted by broad-spectrum insecticides. carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1 to 3 pt/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 1A). pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). OMRI listed. pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Disease ControlOkra is a tropical annual with a wide range of adaptation; it is very sensitive to cold temperatures and frost. Do not plant until soil temperatures have warmed in the spring. NOTE: For the products for disease control listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 22 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients. Damping-off (Pythium, Rhizoctonia)mefenoxam plus thiram (Apron XL LS plus Thiram): 0.16 to 0.64 fl oz/100 lbs seed. (REI 48h, Groups 11 & M3). Seed treatment. Fusarium and Verticillium WiltsAvoid planting in fields where these diseases are present. Rotate with non-solanaceous crops. Consider soil fumigation. See Soil Fumigation Outdoors. Fruit Rot (Choanephora)Choanephora attacks senescent blossoms and grows into the fruit. No fungicides are labeled for control. Improve air circulation by proper plant spacing. NematodesNematode control is very important to okra production. Fumigate fields in the Fall. See Soil Fumigation Outdoors. Rotate with corn. |
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