| |
Introduction
|
|
| |
Okra, or Ladies finger, which is also known as ‘
Bhindi ', is one of the important vegetables
of India. It is grown throughout the tropical and sub-tropical
regions and also in the warmer parts of the temperate
regions. The nutritional value of 100g of edible okra
is characterized 1.9 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 6.4 g carbohydrate,
0.7 g minerals and 1.2 g fibers. Okra has a good potential
as a foreign exchanger crop and accounts for 60% of
the export of fresh vegetables. It is cultivated in
0.349 M ha area with the production of 3.344 M mt and
productivity of 9.6 mt/ha. The major okra producing
states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In West Bengal, 0.662
M mt of Okra is produced from 58,400 ha with an average
productivity of 11.4 mt/ha. The crop is also used in
paper industry as well as for the extraction of fiber.
|
| |
 |
|
| |
Crop
varieties |
|
| |
Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentum (L.) Moench.)
plant belongs to the family Malvaceae. The crop varieties
are Kamini, Pusa Mukhamali, Parbhani
Kranti, etc. are commonly cultivated varieties.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Conventional
practices |
|
| |
Generally farmers grow locally available varieties with
check basin or furrow method of irrigation. Standard
practices of nutrient and plant protection measures
are rarely adopted. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Suitable
agro climatic conditions |
|
| |
Okra is a warm-weather crop. It can be grown in the
temperature range from 22 o to 35 o C. Okra is susceptible
to frost and cold injury below 12 o C temperature. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Suitable
soils |
|
| |
Okra can be grown on a wide range of soils, having
good internal drainage. Soils with high organic matter
are preferred. Application of lime or dolomite may
be done in acid soil to bring the pH in the range
of 6.0 - 6.5.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Preparation
of land |
|
| |
Intensive tillage is required for the land preparation
of Okra. Deep (20-25 cm) ploughing followed by cross
harrowing is done to make the soil friable and loose.
One or two plankings are also needed to make the soil
surface smooth and level.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Soil
sterilization |
|
| |
The sterilization of the soil can be achieved by both
physical and chemical means. Physical control measures
include treatments with steam and solar energy. Chemical
control methods include treatments with herbicides and
fumigants. Soil sterilization can also be achieved by
using transparent plastic mulch film, which is termed
as soil solarization. During soil solarization, the
incoming solar radiation penetrates the transparent
plastic film and is absorbed in the soil. The absorbed
radiation converts into heat energy, which raises the
soil temperature and kills many soil-borne organisms
including plant pathogens and pests. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Planting |
|
| |
Sowing is done in two seasons: end of January for the
summer crop and end of May for the rainy season crop.
The seed rate for the summer crop is 18 to 20 kg /ha
and 10 to 12 kg /ha for the rainy season crop. A spacing
of 60 x 45 cm or 60 x 30 cm is generally adopted. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Drip
system requirement |
|
| |
Area: 1 ha, planting geometry: 60cm x 30cm.
Variable Items: 75 mm F PVC/HDPE pipe-54 m, 75 mm
F PVC/HDPE pipe-102 m, 12mm F LDPE Lateral-8400 m,
Online dripper (2 l/h)-13,888 Nos., Control valve-
2 Nos., Flush valve- 2 Nos., Tees/bends-1 No., Accessories.
Fixed Items : Screen filter (15m
3 / h) -1 No., Bypass assembly: 1 No., Fertilizer
applicator –1 No., Accessories.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Irrigation
scheduling |
|
| |
The crop requires adequate moisture in the soil during
summer months for faster growth. Drip irrigation is
most suitable to the crop as it provides uniform moisture
throughout the season. The daily water requirement
of Okra crop is 2.4 l/day/4 plants during early growth
stage and 7.6 l/day/4 plants during the peak growth
stage. The irrigation system should be operated daily
for 75 minutes during initial growth stage and for
228 minutes during peak growth of the crop with an
emitter capacity of 2 lph. Irrigation on each day
or on alternate days with On-line type of drippers
is preferred.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Advantages
of drip Irrigation |
|
| |
• Saves water.
• Enhances plant growth and yield.
• Saves energy and labour.
• Most suited for soils having low water
holding capacity on undulating terrain.
• Reduces weed growth.
• Improves fertilizer application efficiency.
• Improves quality of produce.
• Reduces salt concentration in the root
zone.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Application
of fertilizers |
|
| |
In order to maximize the yield about 30 t of FYM,
350 kg Super phosphate, 125 kg Murate of Potash and
300 kg Ammonium sulphate should be applied in the
rows before sowing for one hectare of land. Nitrogen
should be applied through fertigation in three split
doses.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Weed
control |
|
| |
As Okra is harvested over a long period, weed control
happens to be an important cultural operation. Shallow
rooted inter-row cultivation and hand weeding may be
used to minimize weeds in the inter row zone. Black
plastic mulch may be used to suppress weed growth. The
black plastic mulch also keeps the soil warm and encourages
plant growth. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Plant
protection |
|
| |
The control measures for insects, pests and disease
depend upon type and intensity of the problems. The
control measures for the main pests and diseases are
stated below.
Flea beetles is the major insect for Okra. This can
be controlled with row covers or applications of Rotenone
or Pyrethrin. Okra is susceptible to diseases such
as Verticillium, Fusarium and several other fungal
diseases in wet season. These diseases can be controlled
by proper crop rotation and good garden sanitation
practices.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Harvesting,
yield and quality control |
|
| |
Okra is harvested in 60 to 70 days after planting when
pods are 2 to 3 inches long. At this stage the pods
are still tender. Larger okra pods will tend to be tough
and fibrous. Round-podded okra varieties remain tender
at larger pod sizes and are good to use for slicing
and freezing. Since, Okra grows very fast, it should
be harvested every two days. The pods should not be
allowed to mature on the plant because this will inhibit
more pods from developing and reduce the productivity
of the plant. Handling of okra should be done carefully
because the pods bruise easily. The yield of Okra varies
from 5 - 7 t/ha in summer to 8 - 10 t/ha in the rainy
season. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Post
harvest handling and storage
|
|
| |
Okra has a short storage life. A fresh good pod can
be stored for 7-10 days at 7-10 0 C temperature and
90-95% relative humidity. At temperatures below 7 0
C Okra is subjected to chilling injury, which results
in surface discoloration, pitting and decay. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Cost
economics |
|
| |
Area: 1 ha. Planting geometry: 60cm x 30cm.
Fixed cost of drip system: Rs. 99,366
Rate of interest 10.5%, Life of system 7.5 years Annual
cost of drip System: Rs. 14,287
Cost of cultivation: Rs. 11,500
Expected yield: 17 t/ha
Expected Benefit Cost ratio: 2.2
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Contact
Address: |
|
| |
Dr. K. N. Tiwari
Professor & Principal Investigator
Precision Farming Development Centre
Agricultural & Food Engineering Department
IIT Kharagpur (W.B.) 721 302
Tel: 03222-283150 (O)/ 283151 (R)
Fax: 03222-282244 (O)
mail: kamlesh@agfe.iitkgp.ernet.in
pfdc_kharagpur@yahoo.com
|
|
| |
|
|