YMV OF OKRA AND CONTROL

Yellow vein mosaic disease of bhendi

THE YELLOW vein mosaic disease of bhendi is a virus disease which causes heavy crop loss especially if the disease occurs in the early stages of crop growth.
The virus is transmitted by the white fly (Bemisia tebaci). The population of vector being high during hot summer months, the crop is often seriously affected then.
Vein clearing and veinal chlorosis of the leaves are the early symptoms.
As the disease progresses the yellow network of veins become very conspicuous and veins and vein-lets get thickened.
Distortion of leaf stalks and stems occurs at the advanced stage of infection.
Fruits become small and yellowish green.
The following measures are important in the management of the disease.
— Cultivate resistant varieties such as Arka Anamika (from IIHR banglore), Arka Abhay, parbhani kranti , surkh bhindi , safal , pahuja, subz pari ,selection-2 from NBPGR ,Hy. Co-3 and Punjab Padmini.
— In private sector –Hy. No 1 & 2 from sungro seeds and parbhawa from Nuziveedu seeds
— Use seeds collected from disease-free plants.
— Remove and destroy disease-affected plants from crop fields to avoid secondary spread.
— Destroy host weeds, such as Croton sparsiflora and Ageralium spp.
— Follow crop rotation.
— Control the insect vector by spraying dimethoate 0.03 per cent or monocrotophos 0. 05 per cent.
Biocontrol- leaf extract of Bougainvillea spectabilis & Prosopis chilensis was effective against white fly
Growing maize, sunflower or pearl millet as guard crop reported a markedly decrease in nos. of white flies per okra.

The disease is characterized by a homogenous interwoven net work of yellow veins enclosing islands of green tissue within. In extreme cases, the infected leaves become totally yellow or cream colour. Infected plants remain stunted and bear very few deformed and small fruits. The disease causes heavy loss in yield if the plants get infected within 20 days after germination.
2. One soil application of Furadon @ 1.5 kg a.i./ha at the time of sowing seeds is also recommended. 3. Infected plants must be removed from the field