Effect of Leaf Removal on the Growth And Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) and its Relevance to Leaf Harvesting Patterns and Pest Damage

Abstract

SummaryExperiments on okra to determine the economic loss caused by insect damage to the leaves or by harvesting young leaves as a vegetable are described. Leaf harvests at 1-weekly intervals yielded 30-50% more fresh leaf than harvests at 2 or 3-weekly intervals. Removing a quarter of each leaf or single leaves from the upper or lower parts of the plant at 3-weekly intervals did not affect marketable fruit yield, but yield was reduced by about 30% when one young leaf was harvested at 1 or 2-weekly intervals or when two or three leaves were harvested at S-weekly intervals. Removing more than one quarter of each leaf or two or three fully expanded leaves from the lower three-quarters of the plant at 3-weekly intervals also caused up to 40% yield loss.Harvesting single leaves at S-weekly intervals is therefore recommended if okra is to be grown for both leaves and pods. The plant can tolerate at least 25% defoliation, as can happen with insect damage, before any yield loss occurs.F. O. Olasantan: Efecto de la deshojadura sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento del gombo (Abelmoschus esculentus,) y su importancia para modelos de cosecha de hojas y dano causado porplagas.