Bhendi/Okra –Abelmoschus esculentus –Red Bhendi (“Sivappu Vendai”)
This is commonly known as lady’s finger. It is being cultivated in Panavilai village of Vilavancode taluk at Kanyakumari district. It is a tropical direct sown vegetable crop with duration of 100-120 days. The optimum season is June-August. Sowing can be extended upto July but harvested before October. This is mainly to prevent the crop from North East Monsoon. Deep well drained loamy soils with undulating pattern are most suitable and also available in larger area. The variety is highly useful for culinary purpose. The plant grows to a height of 4 feet. Fruits are red colored and so called red Bhendi. It is rich in carotene. 20th day onwards the plants start yielding. After the emergence of fifth leaf, flowering occurs. Main stem is multiple branched, each branch gives fruits. The variety is resistant to yellow mosaic virus spread by vector white fly- Bemisia tabaci. Harvesting is done on alternate days, since the pods get matured. Quickly, the selection of pods with maximum size but still tender is taken. A total number of 15-20 harvests can be made. The yield varies from 12-15 tones/ha.