Advisory ArticleAgroStar Agronomy Centre of Excellence
Pest and water management for summer okra
Water management for okra should be done by considering factors like type of soil, capability to hold water, available carbon and amount of lime, plantation season and the stage of crop growth etc.
In summer, water the okra crop at the interval of 5 to 6 days. The crop should be watered as soon as the plantation is done. Give light water after 3 to 4 days of the cultivation. If excess water is given in the beginning, the roots get less air and the okra is infested by wilt. In heavy and black soil, always give light water. When the crop is in the flowering stage and in the fruit growth stage, regular water supply is needed. If there is water stress in this period, the problems like flower drop and no fruit setting appear.
If drip irrigation is used, 50% water is saved and the production increases by 40%. Calculate daily need of water and provide only adequate water through drip irrigation. To decrease evaporation of water through soil and if there is less availability of water, use mulching paper.
Pest management in okra
Jassids - This pest resides at the back side of the leaf and sucks sap from the cells. As a result, the leaves become yellowish and look like crushed. This pest has more infestation in summer. To manage it, imidacloprid 10 ml should be mixed in 10 liters of water or mix 20 ml neem extract in 10 liters of water and spray at the interval of 15 days.
Aphids - This pest absorbs the sap from leaves and delicate parts of okra. So the plant’s food making process is affected and the growth of the plant is shunted. If infestation is serious, add Dimethoate 30 % fluid 20 ml to 10 liters of water and spray.
Thrips - This pest scratches young cells and flowers of the plant and absorb sap from it. As a result flowers dry and drop. So the flower setting is less and the yield decreases too. As the pests absorb sap from the leaves, the leaves become pale and turn brown in colour and look like crushed. To manage this pest, add imidacloprid 10 ml to 10 liters of water and spray it.
Shoot and capsule borer - This borer enters the flowers and fruits and eats cell within them. They travel from one shoot to another and from one fruit to another and harm them. Affected buds and flowers dry and drop. To manage this pest spray 20 ml neem extract in 10 liters of water or cypermethrin 25% 10 ml in 10 liters of water and spray.
Reference - Agrostar Agronomy Center Excellence
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