Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Sunita J Magar, SD Somwanshi, VG Mulekar and KM Padgi

Abstract:
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) a commercial vegetable crop, commonly known as Ladies finger and is one of the most widely known species of family Malvaceae. India occupies an area of 530.79 thousand hectares with the production of 6350.26 thousand tones and productivity of 12.00 mt/ha. In Maharashtra, Bhendi is grown throughout the year providing continuous and a good source of income to the farmers. During summer season, it fetches lucrative price due to shortage of other vegetables in the market. Amongst the fungal diseases, powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe cichoracearum DC. Is one of the important and of common occurrence disease, wherever okra crop is grown? Disease initiates as white minute patches, first on the upper surface of lower leaves or older leaves and then gradually spreads to younger ones while, grayish powdery coating is visible on severely affected leaves and such leaves finally show necrosis; resulting in withering, drying and defoliation, leading to yield losses of about 17 to 86.6 per cent. Crop is vulnerable to disease at late growth stage i.e. from 51 days after sowing. Average disease severity and yield in Parbhani Ok were 48.47% and 5t/ha, respectively whereas, in variety Parbhani Kranti severity, it was 46.62% and yield was 6t/ha. Results on weather parameters had negative correlation with disease except temperature (Max. and Min.), which showed positive and significant correlation with the disease.