Diseases in Okra

Major Diseases of Okra and their Management

This section includes the causal organism, symptoms, and management is of the three major diseases of okra:

•      Yellow vein mosaic virus,

•      Cercospora leaf spot and

•      Powdery mildew.

Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus of Okra

            Yellow vein mosaic of okra is a virus disease transmitted by whiteflies and leafhoppers. If there yellow vein mosaic in the area, whiteflies feeding on the infected plants will carry or transmit the virus through its feeding on healthy plants.

A plant with yellow vein mosaic virus has yellowish mosaic on the leaves, prominent yellowish veins and curling leaves. If infection is severe, plants become stunted and pods are of low quality.

Application of the recommended rate of fertilizer will promote growth and better crop stand. Too much nitrogen will make the plant more susceptible to whitefly and leafhopper attack.

Cercospora Leaf Spot

           Cercospora leaf spot is a fungal infection caused by the pathogen, Cercospora abelmoschi. Spores from the infected field or plants are carried by the wind to other plants. The spores that stick on the leaf surface grow. The plants show signs ( mycelial growth) on the underside of the leaves.

Symptoms are observed on the old maturing leaves such as yellowing and brown spots on the underside of the leaves. At serious infection, the leaves turn brown and become dry.

Removal and proper disposal of old yellowing leaves with Cercospora leaf spot reduces the infection in the field. Burning the leaves is the easiest way of disposing the infected leaves. After removal of the leaves, spray fungicides on the underside of the okra leaves.

Powdery mildew

            One of the causal organisms of powdery mildew is Erysiphe cichorocearum in okra. Erysiphe also infects other plants isuch as cucurbits, potato, tobacco, tomato, sunflower, and lettuce.

Okra infected by powdery mildew has whithite powdery growth on the upperside of the leaves. Dark spots are all over the infected leaves. This hinders the photosynthetic ability of the plant resulting to stunted growth. The leaves turn brown and eventually become dry.

Application of fungicide late in the afternoon can control the infection. It is important to monitor the adjacent field for the infection so that preventive application of fungicides can be done.

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