How to intercrop okra
How to intercrop okra
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is a plant of the Malvaceae family native to tropical Africa and cultivated in hot countries.
This plant is cultivated in both tropical and subtropical areas, and in particular in Asia (especially central and western) and Asia Minor.
Its fruits are consumed mainly in Africa and India.
This plant is also cultivated in Eastern European countries and in Italy, where 90% of the cultivated area is in Sicily.
Furthermore, the stems of okra and many mallow plants are macerated and processed to provide a textile fiber known as okra fibre.
Okra is a plant that can be grown in combination with other vegetables, among these we remember: basil, hemp, cabbage, sunflower, lettuce, corn, aubergine, pepper, tomato, leek, rocket and pumpkin.
With okra intercropping you can therefore choose different plants that can derive considerable mutual benefits. Let’s see in detail what the advantages of intercropping with some plants are.
Basil: Helps repel insects such as aphids, whiteflies and beetles.
Peppers: These plants do not compete for resources and can grow well together.
Eggplant: Can share space with okra without overly competing.
Tomatoes: While they need a little more room, they can benefit from the coverage okra offers.
Cabbages: Cabbages and other brassicas can grow well near okra.
Arugula: A fast-growing plant that can benefit from the shade provided by okra.
Lettuce: Similar to arugula, lettuce can thrive under the partial shade of okra.
The benefits of intercropping with okra are generally reflected in greater pest control, for space optimization: low-growing plants or those that require less light can grow under taller plants such as okra. Soil Improvement: Some plants can help fix nitrogen or improve soil structure.
However, not all plants can be associated with okra, for some the association is negative. Plants that should be avoided near okra are:
Beans: Can compete with okra for the same resources.
Plants in the Solanaceae family (such as potatoes): May share diseases and pests with okra.
In any case, before choosing an intercrop, you must always evaluate the pedological compatibility of the plants to be placed together.