Reaction of Open Pollinated High Yielding Okra Varieties Against Major Pests in Response to Organic Manures

Relative susceptibility of eight open pollinated (OP) okra varieties was studied against leaf hopper, fruit borer and Yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) incidence in response to organics (cow dung manure @ 25 t/ha and neem cake @ 2.5 t/ha) with 50% of recommended dose, i.e. NPK @ 90:60:40 kg/ha. Comparatively less leaf hopper population was recorded in seven varieties viz., Arka Anamika, Utkal Gourav, Pusa A4, Indam 821, Kamala Improved, Pankaj and Sansar Selection during summer and Kharif 2004. Application of neem cake @2.5 t/ha proved to be very effective in reducing leaf hopper incidence on the above varieties. The fruit damage by Earias vittella in response to neem cake manuring was low in varieties like Utkal Gourav, Pusa A4, Arka Anamika, Indam 821 and Pankaj during both summer (2.2 to 2.8%) and Kharif (8.3 to 9.8%). Irrespective of seasons and manures, the varieties like Arka Anamika, Indam 821, Utkal Gourav and Pusa A4 were considered as superior in defending the YVMV disease. However, no significant variation in the intensity of YVMV incidence in OP okra varieties was noticed in context with the manures tested. It was concluded that under the agro-climatic conditions of West Bengal, Pusa A4, Indam 821, Utkal Gourav and Arka Anamika were found suitable for commercial cultivation. Supplementation of neem cake @ 2.5 t/ha along with reduced levels of chemical fertilizers (@ 90:60:40 kg NPK/ha) was suggested not only to suppress the pest load, but also to enhance the fruit yield with optimum profit.