Evaluation of 15 Varieties of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench to Field Infestation by Flea Beetles (Podagrica spp.)

The study evaluated 15 okra varieties to field infestation by flea beetles, Podagrica spp., in the early and late planting seasons of 2009, at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria (7°15′N 3°25′E), located in a sub-humid zone. The experiment was arranged in a split plot design, with three replicates. The main plot consisted of spraying regime (sprayed and unsprayed) while the sub-plot consisted of 15 okra varieties: V-35, V2-Oyo, V45-2, NH99/28, NH99/DA NH88/1-8-16-2, Enugu1, Osadep:purple Tall, LD88/1-8-5-2, LD88/1-8-16-2, Ola99/13, Ola3 Local, Olak2005, Short Mouth and Dajofolowo1. Lambda-cyhalothrin was sprayed to the appropriate plots weekly. The results showed that in both early and late seasons, sprayed okra had significantly (P < 0.05) lower number of flea beetles, lower leaf damage per plant, lower number of holes per leaf, wider stem girth, higher total plant dry biomass, higher number of pods compared with unsprayed okra. The sprayed okra had signif...