OKRA farming and uses
Okra farming
Some introduction to Okra
Okra or okro, known in many English-speaking countries as Ladies’ Fingers or ochro, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. In India it is called bhendi. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. Wikipedia
Scientifically named Abelmoschus esculentus, okra may have been grown as long ago as 2000 BCE in Egypt.
Okra belongs to the same family of plants as hibiscus, cocoa and cotton.
This plant welcomes temperate climates, producing large hibiscus-like flowers that eventually give rise to green seed pods. Okra is by nature a perennial plant; but mostly cultivated as annual plant. It grows quite tall as much as 2 meters.
Cooking
Okra fruit or pod can be eaten raw since It has a mild flavor. It can also be steamed, cooked, or fried. Okra pods can also be used in soups and stews where due to the gooey mucilage it adds to soups.
Conventionally okra pods are pre-cooked at very high heat by sautéing, roasting, blanching or grilling. Then add cooked okra to your recipe. This is done so that the naturally occurring slime in okra pods is finished. One can also reduce slime of okra pods by first soaking in vinegar or lime juice for about half an hour before cooking.
Suitable climate for Okra growing.
Okra is grown throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions and also in the warmer parts of the temperate regions. Ladies finger requires long warm growing season during its growing period.
Okra gives good yield in warm humid condition. A temperature range of 22-35°C is very good for its growth.. It can be successfully grown in rainy season even in heavy rainfall area.
Soil requirements
Okra can grow in all sorts of soils, but sandy loam and clay-loam soils are best for its cultivation.
The optimum pH range is between 6 and 6.8. Soils with high organic matter are preferred, FYM (Farm Yard Manure) or compost should be incorporated during land preparation. Lay out should ensure that Soil has good internal drainage.
In order to maximize the yield about 30 t of FYM (Field Yard Manure), 180 kg Super phosphate, 100 kg Murate of Potash and 200 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. The recommendation of fertilizers may be reviewed keeping in view the particular place soil and water analysis for pH, E.C. and minerals composition.
Preparation for sowing
Before sowing the seeds are soaked in a solution of Bavistin (0.2%) for 6 hours. The seeds are then dried in shade and sown in the prepared beds. The beds could be ridge and furrows type or flat beds depending on land.
Weed control in Ladies Finger Farming
As Okra is harvested over a long period, weed control needs to be an important cultural operation. Weeding, thinning and earthling up is the important intercultural operations of Okra farming.
Farmers may make use of available herbicides for controlling weeds in okra as these are very effective in weed control.
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.
Pests and Diseases in Ladies Finger Farming
Some information on insects, pests and disease of Okra is discussed below. The control measures depend upon type and intensity of the problems and also whether organic or inorganic pesticides are to be used as decided by the Farmer.
- Powdery Mildew: A grayish powdery growth appears, both on the upper and lower surface of leaves causing severe reduction in yields.
- Green Jassids:The nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from leaves resulting to yellowing of leaves.
- Shoot and Fruit Borer: Initially larvae bore into tender shoots and make tunnel downwards. The affected shoots wither, droop and ultimately destroyed. Side shoots arise giving plant a bushy appearance. The borer also bores into buds, flowers and fruits.
- White Fly:Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from leaves. White fly also spreads yellow vein mosaic virus disease due to which young leaves turn yellow resulting in stunted growth and reduced flowering and fruiting.
- Red Spider Mites:Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from underside of the leaves resulting in yellow white spots. Leaves gradually curl, get wrinkled and crumple.
- Root-Knot Nematodes:The knots damage the roots and affected roots turn into knots like structures. Plants become yellowish, remain stunted and wilt permanently.
Some supposed Benefits of Okra
This vegetable-like fruit also has a long history in traditional medicine. Kew Royal Botanic Gardens report that in Eastern traditional medicine, okra leaves and fruit were used as pain relievers, moisturizers, and to treat urinary disorders. In Congolese medicine, okra is used to encourage a safe delivery during childbirth.
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. It contains potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium. It’s low in calories and has a high dietary fiber content.
It is good in controlling diabetes !
Recently, a new benefit of including okra in your diet is being considered. Okra has been suggested to help manage blood sugar in cases of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
A 2005 study published in Planta Medica investigated the effects of okra on rats with diabetes. A substance called myricetin is present in okra and some other foods, including red wine and tea. Researchers isolated myricetin from okra, then administered it to the rat. The treatment increased absorption of sugar in the rats’ muscles, lowering their blood sugar.
A 2012 Food Science and Human Wellness review points to a number of other laboratory and animal studies that have linked myricetin to lower blood sugar. The study argues that myricetin may also reduce other risk factors for diabetes..
Some other Benefits are thought to be like preventing and improving constipation, lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of some forms of cancer, especially colorectal cancer, improving energy levels and improving symptoms of depression, helping to treat sore throat, irritable bowel, ulcers and lung inflammation.
Risks of eating OKRA
Like with every thing which has good properties, Okra may also have some side effects. It is true that only a few studies have linked okra to negative side effects.
Okra may make the drug metformin, a diabetes drus, less effective. Okra is high in substances known as oxalates. Oxalates may increase the risk of kidney stones in people vulnerable to kidney stones.
It goes without saying that Okra can contain bacteria, pesticides, and other dangerous substances if it is not thoroughly washed.
Harvesting of Ladies Finger or Okra or Bhendi
Flowering in okra plants begins from 35 to 40 days after sowing. It is advisable to harvest the crop in 55 to 65 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.
Hi ; I have had opportunity to travel widely and have keen watched whatever farming practices the local farmers were engaged in. Back home been growing gerberas mostly in polyhouses, but outside in kitchen garden as well. i love these hardy perennials. good for business too if done in a routine orderly scientific manner. Also engaged in farming of wheat and organic vegetables on a small scale for me and family. My service profile has been that of an electronic and telecom engineer and now am engaged in web site creation and blogging.
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