Sixteen organic varieties of okra were included in this years study.  Plots were sown on May 24 with a Hege 1000 Series Drill/Planter on 30 inch row widths.  Soil temperature was 78.6 F.  Seed was planted at 3/4 of an inch on a fine, firm seed bed. Each plot consisted of four ten foot rows.  Only the middle two rows were evaluated.  Varieties included: Clemson Spineless 80, Burgundy, White Velvet, Perkins Long Pod, Silver Queen, Cajun Jewel, Jade, Clemson Spineless (1939),  Cow Horn, Burmese, Star of David, Red Burgundy, Louisiana Green Velvet, Ever Tender, Emerald Green, and Dwarf Green Long Pod.

Unfortunately, rye grass was used as cover crop prior to the Okra planting, making weed control extremely difficult.  Due to the late planting because of rain, several of the replicated plots were lost.  Only seven of the varieties survived the growing season to full maturity.  Pods were harvested by hand on November 6 well after a killing frost.  The pods were allowed to dry naturally and then were threshed with a single plant cylinder thresher.  Seed yields were assessed and evaluated for each variety.  Yields ranged from 200lbs./acre to 1,000 lbs./acre.  The 2004 variety trails will be replicated in 2005. 

Final Reports

Varieties were evaluated for germination rate, seed retention, lodging, branching, plant height, pod length, general disease tolerance, insect tolerance, and seed yield. All data will be published in the Midwest Vegetable Variety Trial Report for 2005.

This project was funded by: