Scientists at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) have discovered a new virus disease attacking okro farms across the country.
Management of NIHORT, in a statement, said they got reports from farmers across the country in respect of the new virus-like symptoms on okra farms leading to rapid disease outbreaks resulting in more than 70% loss of okra plants.
According to the institute, observation by a multidisciplinary team from NIHORT on ad hoc visits to okra farms revealed unusual symptoms in okra that consist of leaf curl associated with nations or outgrowths which were distinct from the usual leaf curl and/or vein yellowing symptoms known with virus-infected okra plants.
It said the epidemic has assumed a nationwide occurrence having been reported in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos and also Niger states.
It advised farmers to look out for the symptoms of the new disease, which include a high population of aphids and leafhoppers (vectors); and initial expression of small pin-head enations or outgrowths on the undersurface of okra leaves.
The institute listed an interim control measure that could be adopted to contain the spreading virus, which is spraying the okra farm(s) with synthetic insecticide at 20ml/15lt of water weekly under severe infestations.
It added that research is being intensified on developing a sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) package to arrest the new virus.
