Abstract

A comparison trial of okra species and varieties was conducted at the ECHO farm in North Fort Myers (zone 9a/10b), Florida. Thirteen varieties of Abelmoschus esculentum and two varieties of Abelmoschus caillei were evaluated for pod production and taste. Plants were started from seed in trays, with resulting seedlings transplanted to field plots arranged in a randomized complete block design such that each variety was grown/replicated in three plots. Pods were harvested from July through November, 2003. The effect of variety impacted early-/mid- but not late-season pod production.Top-producing varieties during peak pod-producing months, August and September, were Parbhani Kranti, Ever Lucky, Cow Horn and Clemson Spineless. Parbhani Kranti not only yielded well but also ranked highest in taste tests. 

Introduction and purpose

Two African okra species, Abelmoschus esculentum and Abelmoschus caillei, are popular in tropical and temperate climates. Okra produces edible pods for human consumption and seeds for processing into oil and vegetable curd. Okra leaves can be eaten in stews or used as animal fodder. Varieties of okra were compared in sub-tropical Florida conditions to better guide recommendations to ECHO network members.

Materials and Methods

Fifteen different varieties of okra were evaluated in 2003 at ECHO’s Global Demonstration Farm in Fort Myers, Florida (Zone 9a/10b).

Abelmoschus esculentum: Blonde, Borneo, Burgundy, Cherokee Long, Chubby, Clemson Spineless, Cow Horn, Ever Lucky, Greenie, Kranti-Palestine, Martin’s Long, Parbhani Kranti, Prelude.

Abelmoschus caillei: African, West African

These were varieties of two species of okra, as indicated below: Clemson Spineless was considered a control since many Florida farmers grow it commercially. Each experimental unit  was replicated three times in a randomized complete block design, with each block located on a separate section of the farm. An experimental unit consisted of one row of 16 plants in reps one and two and two rows of eight plants in rep three. 

Plots were established, starting from seeds sown in plug trays in a greenhouse on June 4th. Seedlings were then transplanted into the field on June 26th, 2003. Plants in the field were spaced 46 cm (18 in) apart within each row, with rows spaced 61 cm (2 ft) apart.  

Plants were watered initially by drip irrigation for three weeks (three hours a day, three days a week) after transplanting, after which they were rain fed for the remainder of the trial. Plants received granular slow release fertilizer (8-2-8 N-P-K) and micronutrients at the time of planting. Then 8-2-8 was side dressed once a month at a rate of 1.4 kg per 9.3 m2 (3 lbs per 100 ft2). Orthene was sprayed twice in July 2003 to control grasshoppers. 

Observations were made weekly after transplanting to check for overall plant health and insect damage. Harvest began 18 July and continued through 14 November. At each harvest, pods 6 cm or more in length were picked twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) and weighed. A taste test was conducted in August 2003 of fourteen varieties (West African was not producing the time of the taste test). Okra was fried in cornmeal with salt and oil for the taste test. Each person evaluating the okra selected three most and three least favorites. For each variety, evaluators’ ratings were averaged. 

Results and Discussion

Yield

Prelude and Greenie produced the highest, and statistically similar, number (Table 1) of pods during the month of July. July fruit weights (Table 2), however, did not differ between varieties. 

In general, most pod production occured between August and October, with yields declining in November. Most treatment differences occurred during August and September, at which times Prelude, Parbhani Kranti and Clemson Spineless were among the top producers in terms of fruit weight. Their fruit numbers and weights were matched statistically, during August and/or September, by Burgandy, Cow Horn, Ever Lucky, Greenie, and Kranti-Palestine. August-September Prelude, Burgandy, and Greenie fruit numbers/weights, though similar to top-producing varieties, were also similar to lowest-producing varieties, African, Martin’s Long, and West African.

Variety had no effect on yields in October and November. Thus, none of the varieties showed significant potential for boosting late-season yield in comparison to the control, Clemson Spineless. Sanders (2001) suggests that a late-spring pruning can extend the harvest season.

Variety impacted total-season fruit number but not total-season fruit weight. Total-season fruit numbers were highest and similar with Cow Horn, Ever Lucky, Greenie, Kranti-Palestine, and Prelude. Since total-season fruit weights did not vary between varieties, results suggest that varietal choice has the most potential to impact early and mid-season okra production 

Consumption value

Taste evaluators chose Parbhani Kranti, Cherokee Long, and Martin’s Long, in order of preference, as the best tasting varieties (Table 3). Least favored were African, Clemson Spineless and Blonde.

Conclusion

Parbhani Kranti, Ever Lucky, Cow Horn, and Clemson Spineless varieties produced steady, consistent and high yields. Based on the results of this trial, these are recommended as optimal varieties for the peak okra season. Parbhani Kranti was highly favorable in both taste and overall production, making it the preferred choice.