Okra yellow vein mosaic

Okra yellow vein mosaic is a destructive viral disease caused by the Okra yellow vein mosaic virus (OYVMV), which is a member of the Geminiviridae family. This disease is widely considered the most limiting factor for okra production in many regions, causing severe economic losses for farmers.

The disease primarily attacks okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), but it also affects other related species within the Malvaceae family. Various wild weeds serve as alternative hosts, harboring the virus during the off-season and acting as a primary source of infection for new plantings.

Symptoms are distinct and easily recognizable: the leaves develop a prominent yellow discoloration of the veins, creating a stark contrast against the green leaf lamina. In severe cases, the entire leaf turns yellow, growth becomes stunted, and flowering and fruit development are severely reduced or completely inhibited.

Transmission occurs through the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in a persistent manner. The development and spread of the virus are heavily influenced by environmental factors such as high temperature, prolonged dry spells, and humidity, which favor the proliferation of whitefly populations.

Effective management strategies include:

• planting resistant or tolerant varieties;
• managing whitefly populations through targeted insecticide application;
• implementing strict field sanitation by removing symptomatic plants immediately;
• practicing crop rotation to break the pest-virus cycle;
• using reflective mulches to deter the insect vectors.