Abstract:
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of widely cultivated vegetable crop in Sri Lanka.
Many pests’ attacks and diseases significantly decrease the quality and quantity of okra production in
dry zone. Okra Yellow Vein Mosaic virus (OYVMV) is the major disease affecting the okra
production. Therefore, identification of germplasms with strong resistance to OYVMV has become an
urgent need. As such an experiment was carried out in RARDC*, Kilinochchi during Yala 2024.
Eighteen locally popular germplasms (Meeharak-An Bandakka, Thel Bandakka, Red local (Perennial),
Athupahe bandakka, Katu bandakka, Athdala bandakka, Idipandam bandakka, Pal wendi, Kiri
bandakka, Rathu bandakka, MI-07, MI-05, Jaffna Local, Kilinochchi Local, Haritha, Red local
(Annual), Hean bandakka) and advanced breeding line (TV 08) were screened with 4 control lines
(OP 7, OP 10, T 09 and Sarika F1) (Total 24 treatments). A randomized complete block design was
used with 3 replications. (60cm and 90 cm) spacing was used to accommodate plants in a plot.
Disease severity was assessed and percentage disease incidence (PDI) was calculated using
internationally recognized disease rating scale. Means of PDI was compared using Tukey HSD
method and disease progressive curve was developed. After 6 th week of observation. All control
entries show “Resistance” response to OYVMV with 0% PDI. Local cultivar “Pal wendi” was
“Susceptible” with 66.97% PDI. Other all 17 germplasms showed “Highly susceptible” disease
responses with more than 70% PDIs. This experiment revealed urgent need of changing the
recommended cultivars for local cultivation and producing the novel high-yielding disease resistance
okra germplasms.
