For consistent germination, follow these steps.
Okra is commonly planted directly in the field. It requires five (5) kg of okra seeds to plant a hectare. soak the seeds with water overnight before planting. Plant okra seeds in slightly moist soil at a rate of 2-3 seeds per hill at a distance of 30 cm and 2-5 cm deep. Then press lightly to prevent excessive loss of moisture. This system of planting, which is usually practiced by farmers, favors deeper root penetration of seedlings and avoids the early emergence of weeds.
The common practice is planting the seeds before irrigating the field, causing weed seeds to germinate faster than the okra seeds, resulting in more labor input because of weeding. A hectare requires 10 kilograms of seeds. During the rainy season, plant the seeds on raised beds or at the ridge of furrows to prevent the plants from water logging in case of flush floods.
Replant missing hills three (3) days after emergence (DAE).
Irrigation
Water is a limiting factor in crop production. Irrigate or water the plants regularly. Use furrow irrigation if available every 7 to 14 days depending on the soil moisture, season, and soil type. Thin the plants to two (2) seedlings per hill 15 Days After Planting. Remove stunted and sickly seedlings leaving only the healthy ones.
Cultivation and Weeding
Weeding is necessary, especially during the early growth stage of the crop. Cultivate and hill-up by hand-hoeing in between furrows at 15 and 42 days after emergence to minimize the growth of weeds. Cultivate 10 cm away from the base of the plants to avoid disturbing the roots. Finally, uproot the remaining weeds (spot weeds) that were missed during the previous cultivation.
Pests Management
Okra is tolerant to most insect pests specifically during the wet season because of the profuse growth of foliage, but diseases are common because of the wet–warm condition of the environment. However, it is necessary to observe the field to make sure that the plants are free from pests.
The most important pests of okra are cotton stainers and stink bugs. However, during summer or the second crop, leafhopper is the most damaging pest.
The most serious fungal diseases are Cercospora blight, powdery mildew, fruit rot, and root-knot nematode.
Prevent the occurrence of pests by practicing field sanitation, plant-resistant varieties, and crop rotation. As the last recourse spray pesticide
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