Botanical Characteristics of Okra:
Okra is an annual or perennial plant with broad, palmate leaves. Each leaf has 5 to 7 lobes. The flowers are white or yellow, usually with a reddish-purple center. The fruit is a capsule type, and each capsule contains a large number of white seeds. Okra is well known for its high fiber content, vitamin C, and folate. Additionally, okra is a good source of antioxidant compounds, calcium, and potassium. The primary origin of okra is believed to be Ethiopia and a region in northern Sudan. Archaeological findings suggest that okra was cultivated thirteen centuries ago along the Nile River and later spread from Africa to the Middle East.
The plant grows to a height of 1 to 2 meters. The leaves are green, palmate, and asymmetrical. The petiole color ranges from green to light red. The flowers are large with yellow petals and reddish spots at their base. The fruits are elongated and cylindrical with angular ridges. The color of the fruits is generally green with serrated edges. The size of the fruits ranges from 12 to 18 cm, containing 5 to 8 seeds.
Nutritional Value of Okra:
Okra contains compounds rich in iron, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid), as well as mucilage. Its flowers contain two types of flavonol pigments called gossypetin and quercetin. Raw okra also contains proteins, sugars, carbohydrates, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, ash, and vitamin A.
Medicinal Properties of Okra:
The medicinal parts of the okra plant include its flowers, seeds, roots, and fruits. According to traditional medicine, okra is considered cold and moist in temperament and is particularly beneficial for individuals with a hot constitution. The decoction of immature okra fruits has diuretic, emollient, healing, aphrodisiac, skin-softening, sudorific, and anti-spasmodic properties. The mucilage derived from its fruits and seeds also acts as an emollient. Raw okra is considered a sexual tonic. Okra is used for relieving symptoms of cold-induced inflammations of mucous membranes, urinary tract burning during urination, easing difficult labor, and alleviating pain during urination and gonorrhea.
Cultivation and Growing Conditions of Okra
Suitable Climate for Okra Cultivation:
Okra is a warm-season plant and is not resistant to cool weather or frost. It does not grow well or produce good fruits in areas with short growing seasons and relatively cold nights. Therefore, it should not be planted at the beginning of the season. Also, towards the end of summer, as days shorten and nights get colder, yield significantly decreases. Okra does not tolerate excessive moisture. The optimal temperature range for okra growth is between 21°C and 30°C. During the growth period, temperatures should not fall below 18°C or rise above 35°C.
Suitable Soil for Okra Cultivation:
Okra grows well in deep, fertile soils but can adapt to almost any type of soil. Slightly acidic to neutral soils are most suitable, with an ideal pH between 6 and 7.
Fertilization of Okra:
Although okra has a high demand for nitrogen, in loamy and fertile soils it does not require additional fertilizer. In poor and sandy soils, if no manure is applied, chemical fertilizers with a relative formula of 5-10-5 should be used at a rate of 500 kg to 1 ton per hectare.
Steps for Planting Okra:
Okra is planted after the weather has warmed up. Although transplanting is uncommon for this crop, it can be cultivated both by direct seeding and transplanting.
Before planting, seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours to facilitate germination.
The seeds are sown in rows spaced 120 to 150 cm apart. The distance between plants on the rows varies from 30 to 90 cm, depending on the cultivar (whether it is dwarf or tall).
The seeds are sown at a depth of 1 to 1.5 cm. Since okra seeds do not germinate easily, a higher seed density is used initially, followed by thinning of excess plants. The germination period is estimated at 12–20 days. Seed consumption per hectare is between 1.5 to 3 kilograms.
Post-Planting Care for Okra:
Essential post-planting practices include soil crust breaking, irrigation, and weed control. If left unchecked, okra plants can grow over 2 meters tall. However, it is recommended to pinch off the terminal bud before the plant reaches one meter in height to promote the development of lateral branches and more fruits, giving the plant a bushier form. In okra, fruit harvesting is continuous. The edible parts are the pods containing the seeds. It is recommended to harvest fruits daily. When the fruits bend and crack, it is the right time for harvesting. If they bend without cracking, it means they have passed the optimal harvest time, becoming woody and losing quality. The optimal length for harvesting pods is between 5 to 7 cm. From flowering to fruit harvest takes approximately 4 to 6 days.
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