Management of yellow vein mosaic disease of okra using suitable resistant varieties

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) crop is badly affected by yellow vein mosaic disease (YVMD) which is the most important biotic stress leading to poor production. The disease was found devastating the crop raised by farmers of Kollam district. Hence, a farmer participatory on farm evaluation was conducted for identifying the best suitable resistant hybrid variety of okra for Kollam district in Kerala during 2017–18. The hybrids evaluated were Manjima (KAU), Arka Anamika (IIHR) and CO4 (TNAU) against local variety(check) in fields of 10 farmers during the first crop season. Manjima was significantly superior in recording higher seed germination percentage (98), yield (16.44 t/ha) and benefit cost ratio (2.55). Yellow vein mosaic was absent in all plots where Manjima was cultivated, other two hybrids were on par and recorded 1.43% incidence of disease and the local variety recorded 28.4% disease incidence. Hence, Manjima was recommended as suitable yellow vein mosaic resistant, high yielding hybrid for wide spread adoption in Kollam district.