Okra: Cultural Practices

Growing Seasons:

  Kharif (June-Sep)

  Early Rabi (Oct-Jan)

  Summer (Feb – May)

Temperature:

 Optimum temperature for seed germination 25 -30°C & do not germinate or delayed germination below 17 °C.

Land Preparation:

 Well drained manured sandy loam soils with pH 6.5-7.5 are ideal for the best cultivation.

 Deep ploughing followed by harrowing is suitable for land preparation. Land should be prepared in ridges & furrows.

Sowing method:

 Direct seed sowing

 Dibble one seeds / hill & irrigate the field immediately for quick & better germination.

 Spray the suitable pre-emergent weedicide like pendimethalin @ 30% EC for controlling the primary weeds immediate after the sowing.

Seed Rate and Spacing:

  4.0-5.0 kg / ha (one seed/hill) – 60 X 30 cm spacing

  8.0-10 kg/ha - For high density spacing (30 X 15 cm)

Manures and Fertilizers:

 Apply 25-30 tonnes of well decomposed FYM/ha at the time of land preparation.

 Apply the fertilizer as per the recommendations (NPK: 150:100:100 kg/ha)

 Use Zinc & Mg as micro nutrients at basal application

 Earthing up is suggested after applying of fertilizer at all the stages & followed irrigation.

Irrigation:

Irrigate as & when required based on the soil type & the local practices.

Days to first flower Initiation:

40-42 DAS (OH-255)

43-45 DAS (OH-215)

Days to first picking:

43- 45 DAS (OH-255)

45-47 DAS (OH-215)

Above both the hybrids are suitable for daily pickings

Growth Regulators:

i) Cycocel @ 100 ppm / Lehosin @ 500 ppm at 5-6 leaf stage - to check excess growth during rainy season apply the same before flowering for seed production / size;

ii) To enhance growth during winter & germination- GA3 @100 ppm