Arka Abhay
A newer IIHR release bred for combined resistance to yellow vein mosaic virus and enation leaf curl virus — the two viral diseases now hitting okra together — on a medium-tall plant with attractive green pods.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Bhindi (Okra)
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- First pick ~50–55 days
- Expected yield
- 15–18 t/ha
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Released by ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru
About this variety
Arka Abhay is an open-pollinated okra from ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, developed as older YVMV-resistant varieties began to be overtaken by a second whitefly-borne disease, enation leaf curl virus. It carries resistance to both viruses at once, which is why it matters in areas where leaf curl has broken the resistance of varieties like Pusa Sawani. The plant is medium-tall with attractive dark green pods and reaches the first pick at about 50–55 days.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
First pick ~50–55 days
Expected yield
15–18 t/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Resistant to both yellow vein mosaic virus and enation leaf curl virus — the two together are what break older varieties
- Attractive dark green pods with good market acceptance
- A safer choice than a YVMV-only variety where leaf curl is present
Things to consider
- Virus resistance still needs backing up with whitefly control, especially at the seedling stage
- Newer than the established varieties, so grafted-plant supply and local performance data are still building
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu