BHENDI (Abelomoschus esculentus L)

Bhendi is cultivated in an area of 3,686 hectares through out the state for its immature fruits which are used as vegetable. The stems of the crop is used in paper industry and also for the extraction of fibre. Climate The Bhendi is a warm season crop and is cultivated through out the State. Chilled and frost weather not suitable. The seeds do not germinate when there is a continuous cold spell. Soils It can be grown in all types of soils, but grows best in friable, well drained soils. Season The rainy season crop is sown in June-July and the summer crop is sown in February-March. The growth being restricted in summer season the seeds are to be sown at a closer spacing. Varieties PUSA SAWANI It is major cultivable in our State. It is vigorous non-branching palmately lobed leaves; moderately tolerant to yellow vein mosaic disease (YVMV). Fruits are 15-20 cm long 4-5 ridges duration is 85-90 days. PARABHANI KRANTI It is a widely adopted variety highly resistant to yellow vein mosaic. Released from Marathwada Agricultural University leaves are dark green . Smooth, thin, long, five ridged. LAM HYBRID SEL-1(HARITA) Developed by ANGRAU and released for cultivation in the state during 1983. Plant height 120-150cm With occasional branching tendency. Fruits are slender, long, green and five reidged. Tolerant to yellow Vein mosaic virus(YVMV). JANARDHAN It was released by ANGRAU. The plant is vigorous, branching. Fruits are small 6-8 cm long suitable for canning and export. Tolerant to yellow vein mosaic. Name of the Pests/Diseases Symptoms of damage Control measures PESTS Bhendi shoot and fruit Bores-(Movva Mariyu Kaya toluchu purugu) Earias vittella E.insulana The infected shoot and fruit is plugged with excreta. The effected shoots and fruits should be clipped along with the insect.Spray quinalphous 0.05%(2ml/lit) or Carbaryl twice at 0.15% 3g/lit orMonocrotophos 0.05% i.e., 1.5ml/lit water. Bhendi jassids (Deepapu purugulu) Sundapteryx biguttula biguttula Both nymphs and adults suck the sap. Hopper burn symptom is noticed. Spray Malathion 0.15% i.e 3 ml/lit of water. Red mites (Erra Nalli) Centrococcus insolitus It is a problem in summer crop.It affects the crop by sucking the sap. Spray Dicofol 0.036% 2 ml/lit or Wettable sulphur 0.15% 3 g/lit. DISEASES Powdery mildew (Budida Telugu) Erisihe cichoracearum Greyish powdery growth on either side of leaves. Spray Wettable Sulphur 3 g/litre or Karathane 1 ml/lit. Yellow vein Mosaic or Vein clearing disease (Pallaku Telugu) The disease is characterised by yellowing of veins and veinlets of the leaves. In severe infestations, the younger leaves turn yellow, become reduced in size and the plants are stunted. If the srop is affected at harvesting stage, the fruits become small and whittish in color. Control insect vector population by suitable insecticide spray. Seeds and Sowing The seed rate for summer crop is 18-20kg/ha whereas for rainy season crop, it can be reduced to 12-15 kg/ha. The soil is ploughed thoroughly 4-5 times to get a fine tilth. The seeds may be dibbled on ridges in kharif at 60cm spacing between ridges and 20 cm within the rows, whereas in summer the seeds can be sown in at lf beds at 45 cm in between row and 15-20 cm within rows. Irrigate the field immediately after sowing and again 4-5 days after sowing. Manures and Fertilizers About 30 tons of farmyard manure per hectare should be applied two weeks before sowing and 50kg each of p2o5 and k2o per hectare incorporated in the soil at the time of final ploughing, 100kg of nitrogen/ha is applied 1/3 as basal and the remaining 2/3 in two split doses at 30th and 45th day. Irrigation The crop should be irrigated every fifth or sixth day during summer and whenever required rainy season. Intercultivation 6The crop should be weeded regularly and earthing up in rows should be done especially during rainy season. Harvesting Harvesting of fruits commences from 40-45 days and the fruits are continuously harvested every second or third day. The best time of picking is 6-7 days after the opening of flowers. If the harvesting is delayed, the fruits become fibrous and loose the market value. Yield The yield vary from 5-6 tons/ha in summer to 8-10 tons/ha in rainy season. The average seed yield is 12 q/ha.