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Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Auburn Universit}j Alabama 36849-5612 Ect
CIRCULAR ANR-959

Guide To Commercial Okra Production

kra is a heat-loving plant whose To prevent a build-up of nematode hance earliness. Transplant at the
O history can be traced to the Nile
basin in Egypt where Egyptians have
populations, follow a crop rotation
using corn or grass crops. Okra
three- to four-leaf stage with a 12-
inch in-row spacing.
cultivated it for centuries, according should not follow other crops that Before planting, soil test each field
to accounts of the crop in the thir- are highly susceptible to nematodes to determine the correct fertility.
teenth century. Okra spread through such as squash and sweetpotatoes, Follow the recommendations from
North Africa from the Nile basin and which tend to increase nematode the analysis to prevent excessive

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on to the eastern Mediterranean, Asia populations. To determine the nema- plant vigor and poor yield. If no soil
Minor, and India, spreading to the tode population in your field or gar- test is made, a general recommenda-
New World from Brazil and Dutch den, collect a soil or root sample and tion is to apply 30 pounds of nitro-
Guiana. African slaves brought okra have it analyzed for nematodes by a gen, 60 to 80 pounds of phosphoms
reputable laboratory. Samples should

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to North America by way of New (P 205), and 60 to 80 pounds of potas-
Orleans. By 1781, the crop was famil- be taken in late summer, prior to sium (K20) per acre. Sidedress with
iar as far north as Philadelphia. spring planting. Contact your county 25 pounds of nitrogen when plants
Today, the major centers for okra Extension agent for more information are 6 to 8 inches tall and again
production are in the southeastern on how to sample for nematodes and 2 to 3 weeks later.
United States-Texas, Georgia, for suggestions on control. Maintaining a balance between fo-
Florida, California, Tennessee, and Time ofplanting. Do not plant liage production and pod (or fmit)
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Alabama-because of the sensitivity okra into cold soils. Soil temperatures production is necessary for maximum
of okra to cold temperatures. In should be between 70° to 95°F for yield. Avoid using extra nitrogen on
Alabama, production of okra is scat- optimal germination. The earliest that vigorous plants until fmiting begins
tered throughout the state. okra should be planted in South to check plant growth. Otherwise,
Alabama is from April 1 to 15; in plants will produce a lot of foliage
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Planting Central Alabama from April 15 to 30;
in North Alabama from May 1 to 15.
with little flowering and subsequent
fmit production.
Recommendations Seeding rate and spacing. Prepare Regardless of irrigation method, be
General recommendations. Okra is the land to ensure establishment of sure to provide about 1 inch of water
a tender vegetable that cannot toler- a uniform stand. Turn the soil in the to the crop per week. Producing okra
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ate low temperatures for very long- fall or early spring so crop residues on dry (non-irrigated) land can be
and frosts are deadly. The optimum can decompose before the okra is risky. Ensuring sufficient water to
temperature range for growth is 70° planted. Early land preparation also developing plants will produce good
to 86°F, with minimum temperatures allows time for weed seed to germi- yields of high-quality pods.
of 64°F and a maximum of 95°F. nate, allowing for early cultivation to
Although okra is highly resistant to
drought, it still requires considerable
destroy young weeds. Varieties
Seed the okra to produce stands 'Clemson Spineless' is a uniform
water for optimum growth and yield. with plants spaced 12 to 15 inches spineless variety with medium dark
Soil. Okra grows best in well- apart within the row (spacings can green, angular pods requiring 55 to
drained sandy loam soils with high be closer when using semi-dwarf va-
58 days to reach maturity.
levels of organic matter (pH 5.8 to rieties) and 2 to 3 feet between rows.
6.5). It is difficult to achieve good Seeds should be planted to a depth 'Emerald' is a spineless variety
stands when directly sowing seed of Vz to 1 inch. To achieve the maxi- with dark green, smooth, round
in heavy clays. Be sure to choose mum stand, plant three to four seeds pods, requiring 58 to 60 days to
a well-drained soil, since poorly per foot and thin to desired spacing. reach maturity. 'Emerald' is used
drained soils may result in drowning Seeding at this rate will require 6 to primarily for processing.
of the plants. 10 pounds of seed per acre. Soaking 'Lee' is a spineless, semi-dwarf va-
Crop rotation. Okra is very sus- seed in water overnight helps hasten riety with deep bright green, straight,
ceptible to damage from nematodes. germination. Transplants will en- angular pods, requiring 55 to 58 days
to reach maturity.
 'Annie Oakley' is a hybrid, spine-
less variety with bright green, angular
... bed
· -, · - · - · - · - · · ·
pods, requiring 53 to 55 days to jx :
reach maturity.
'Prelude' is an open-pollinated,
! 12"~ lx
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spineless variety with very dark
green, glossy, fluted pods. It can be
I~
X
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~ edge of plastic mulch
harvested when pods are Y2 to 3;4
inch longer than other varieties and plant
I,... 15-18" • ::
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still remain tender. It requires 50 to
55 days to reach maturity and gener-
!x !
ally yields better than 'Clemson I
.J.________l __,
lx
Spineless. ' Diagram for double-row production
of okra.

Mulching And Drip okra and weeds are small, tilling with Young plants are more susceptible
Irrigation

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a rolling cultivator will kill most small to foliar feeding damage, so these
Polyethylene (black plastic) mulch weeds. Later, use sweep cultivators plants should be scouted frequently
can offer growers several advantages. or rolling cultivators set to cover to check for insects and feeding.
Black plastic mulch increases soil small weeds within the row. Avoid Control may be necessary if moder-
temperatures, accelerating the growth throwing too much soil directly ate feeding damage is observed on

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rate of the plant. Additionally, black against the okra stems, because young plants. The following are pri-
plastic reduces the severity of several doing so can increase incidence of mary foliage-feeding insect pests of
common problems: soil compaction stem rot. okra:
and crusting, fertilizer leaching, Few herbicides are registered for • Tiny, dark, very active flea bee-
drowning of crops, evaporation of weed control in okra fields. Using tles, which eat many small, round
soil moisture, and growth of weeds. them improperly can damage your holes in leaves (shot holes).
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These benefits promote increased crop. Carefully follow the instructions • Blister beetles with narrow necks
quality and quantity of yields and re- printed on the label and apply herbi- and soft, elongated bodies about Y2
sult in earlier yields especially when cides at exactly the right rate and to 3f4 inch long, which eat both fo-
used with transplants. Although using time. Contact your county Extension liage and blossoms.
mulch will increase production costs, agent for up-to-date recommenda- • Various caterpillars (such as
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those costs may be offset by in- tions on herbicides for use on okra. loopers), which eat holes in leaves.
creased profits from earlier and larger Insect control. Chemical control of
yields. Drip irrigation systems must • Aphids, which damage plants by
insect pests of okra can be a problem sucking juice from the foliage.
be used with plastic mulch. because few insecticides are regis-
On plastic mulch, transplant at the tered for use on this crop. Frequent Pod feeding insects are a greater
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three- to four-leaf stage into stag- pest scouting and use of cultural con- problem than foliage feeders because
gered double rows spaced 15 to 18 trols are advised to find pest prob- damage to pods or blossoms directly
inches apart between the double lems early and make the crop less affects the edible part of the plant,
rows on 12-inch centers; place plants suitable for insect infestations. Insect the pod. Once flowering and pod set
12 inches apart. Be sure to place the pests of okra fall into two categories- begin, blossoms and pods should be
drip tape in the center of the bed, 2 foliage feeders and pod feeders. checked regularly for insects and
to 3 inches deep (see diagram). feeding damage. The following are
Foliage feeders only cause eco- primaty pod-feeding pests:
nomic damage (loss of yield) when
Controlling Weeds, pest numbers are high or when • Corn earworms, which chew
holes and tunnel into pods.
Insects, Diseases, And plants are young (or stressed).
Foliage-feeding on well-established • Stink bugs and leajjooted bugs,
Other Pests plants does not normally cause loss which suck juices from both the blos-
Weed control. Weed species infest- of yield because healthy plants can som and pod, causing small, dark,
ing okra include annual grasses such tolerate considerable loss of foliage raised blister-like spots on the pod.
as crabgrass and goosegrass; perenni- before yield loss occurs. Tolerance of Feeding on very young pods results
al grasses such as bermudagrass; foliar damage increases with age of in a twisting and distortion of the
broadleaf weeds such as sickelpod, the plant and favorable growing con- pods (see Figure 1).
annual morningglory, and common ditions (that is, plentiful soil mois- Cultural Controls. Growers can
cocklebur; and nutsedge. When the ture, proper fettility). manipulate some production prac-

2 Alabama Cooperative Extension Service

 nematodes are usually stunted and best control would be to avoid over-
appear unhealthy with elongated, fertilization and planting in low areas
round swellings on both large and or shady sections of a field. Also,
small roots. Okra should not be avoid the use of overhead irrigation
planted in an area known to have a late in the day. Use overhead early in
high population of root-knot nema- the day, providing sufficient time for
todes. If okra must be grown in an plants to dry off before night.
area where damage from nematodes Leaf spot of okra can be caused
is likely, then a nematicide should be by a number of fungal pathogens.
Figure 1. Distorted and irregular-shaped applied prior to planting. Follow all Leaf spot diseases rarely cause signif-
pods of okra caused by feeding damage label recommendations and restric- icant damage to okra in Alabama. No
from the stink bug. Pods are unmar- tions when using these products.
ketable.
fungicides are currently available for
Non-chemical management of ne- control of these diseases. The best
matodes can be accomplished control would be to follow a suitable
tices to minimize insect damage to through the use of soil solarization, crop rotation sequence and to follow
okra. First, ensure that plants have crop rotation, or the use of nematode a balanced fertilization program.

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favorable growing conditions such as suppressive crops. Soil solarization is
sufficient water and fertilizer, particu- a means of reducing nematode popu- Harvesting
larly when plants are small. Strong, lations to manageable levels where
Most varieties are ready to pick 55
healthy plants are better able to toler- heat from the sun is the lethal agent.
to 60 days after planting. Pods should
ate insect damage. Many insects over- Solarization may also give good

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be harvested when they are 21/z to
winter in debris and weeds, so re- weed control in situations where ef- 31/z inches long (see Figure 2).
moving these refuges in the fall after fective herbicides are unavailable.
crops are harvested will reduce infes- Rotations can be a very effective
tations the following spring. Also, means of controlling plant-parasitic
weed control during the season nematodes. Okra or crops belonging
around and in the field will reduce to the same plant family should
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populations of many pest species, never be grown in the same location
including flea beetles, blister beetles, more often than every 3 years. When
and aphids. Early planting will re- possible, include corn or small grain
duce damage by several caterpillar crops in the rotation sequence to re-
species, because large populations duce nematode populations. Another
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do not usually develop until later in alternative would be to sow a nema-
the season. Growers with small plant- tode-suppressive crop such as bahia-
ings may consider use of protective grass or common vetch into the rota-
row covers early in the season to tion sequence. These crops combat
shield young plants from insect feed- nematodes naturally by releasing
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ing. compounds toxic or inhibitory to ne-

Chemical controls. Very few insec- matodes into the soil. These can be
ticides are registered for okra be- used as alternatives to synthetic ne-
cause it is a minor crop and few maticides or lengthy crop rotations.
companies can afford the increasing Disease control. The most com-
Figure 2. Well-formed, marketable pods
registration costs necessary to main- mon disease of okra is blossom of okra.
tain a minor crop product. Therefore, blight caused by the fungus Choane-
frequent scouting and cultural con- phora cucurbitarum. Blossoms-and
trols are most important. Contact sometimes very small pods-are cov-
your county Extension agent for up- ered with a cottony growth tipped
to-date recommendations on insecti- with black fungal fruiting bodies.
cides registered for use on okra. These pods fail to develop. The dis-
Nematodes. Okra is infamous for ease is more severe during periods
its susceptibility to root-knot nema- of very high humidity, which is often
tode damage. Nematode damage the entire growing season in
commonly causes irregular growth Alabama. It is also found in rank-
and reduced or delayed production. growing okra, particularly in partial
Okra plants damaged by root-knot shade. There are no effective fungi-
cides approved for use on okra. The

Guide To Commercial Okra Production 3

 \"f. tities are canned, frozen, or brined. should permit ventilation. Prepack-
\t l Okra has a very high respiration rate aging in perforated film is helpful

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r......at ~· ~·~~- at warm temperatures and must be
promptly cooled to reduce field heat
and subsequent deterioration.
both to prevent wilting and physical
injury during handling.
For more information, see the fol-
·~
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J . Okra that is in good condition can lowing publications:
, .. - be stored satisfactorily for 7 to 10
.. '1.
\
~.- days at 45° to 50°F. At higher temper-
atures toughening, yellowing, and
Circular ANR-114, "Collecting Soil
And Root Samples For Nematode
·~ Analysis. "
Figure 3. Developing flowers and pods decay are rapid. A relative humidity Circular ANR-713, "Soil
of okra. of 90 to 95 percent is desirable to Solarization For The Control Of
prevent shriveling. At temperatures Nematodes And Soil-Borne Diseases."
Generally, pods should be picked 4 below 45°F okra is subject to chilling
Circular ANR-30, "Nematode
to 6 days after flowering (see Figure injury, which is manifested by surface
Control In The Home Garden."
3). Pods can be snapped off or cut. discoloration, pitting, and decay.
Cutting takes longer but produces a Holding okra for 3 days at 32°F may Circular ANR-856, "Nematode

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nicer product. You should produce cause severe pitting. Contact or top Suppressive Crops."
200 to 250 bushels (30 to 35 pound ice will cause water spotting in 2 or 3 USDA Agriculture Handbook 66,
bushels) of okra per acre on bare days and should never be used to The Commercial Storage Of Fruits,
ground. Based on research, yields on cool okra. Vegetables, And Florist And Nursery
Crops.

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black plastic can be two to three Fresh okra bruises easily, and the
times greater than on bare ground. bruises blacken within a few hours.
A bleaching type of injury may also
Postharvest Storage develop when okra is held in ham-
Okra deteriorates rapidly and is pers for more than 24 hours without
normally stored briefly to hold for refrigeration. Storage containers
marketing or processing. Large quan-
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Circular ANR-959
The Prepared by J.M. Kemble, Extension Horticulturist, Assistant Professor, Horticulture; E.J.
Sikora, Extension Plant Pathologist, Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology; G.W.

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-'.1Aiabama
W7Cooperative
Extension Service
Zehnder, Extension Entomologist, Associate Professor, Entomology; and M.G .
Patterson, Extension Weed Scientist, Associate Professor, Agronomy.
For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory
under your county's name to find the number.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June
Auburn University 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension
Service, Auburn University, W. Gaines Smith, Interim Director, offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran
status, or disability. UPS, 10M14, New 9:95, ANR-959