Effects of two sowing dates and plastic mulch on okra production.

Okra is the most important vegetable crop of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It grows best in hot weather (temperature above 26 degreesC) especially in regions with warm nights (>20 degreesC). Climatic condition required to successfully grow this vegetable along the coast of Sicily are found from late spring through autumn. The aim of this research was to anticipate the fruiting production period and to increase yield as well. The effects of two sowing dates on okra cultivated with or without plastic mulch were evaluated. The crop was direct seeded on April 1 and April 15, 1996 and a transparent polyethylene film of 50 microns was applied for mulching. The highest yields were obtained with the first sowing date. Mulching also influenced both crop earliness and the final yield as pod production was higher with mulch than without mulch (35 t/ha and 24 t/ha respectively). This study gave valuable informations to successfully grow okra in western Sicily.