Assessment of Leaf Scorch Symptoms on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in Imo State, South East Nigeria

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a widely consumed vegetable crop in Imo State, playing a central role in the cuisine and nutritional profile of South East Nigerian households. Leaf scorch symptoms, characterised by interveinal chlorosis, marginal necrosis, and premature defoliation, have been increasingly observed in okra plots during recent growing seasons, yet the pathological basis of these symptoms has not been formally documented in the state. This study investigated the causal basis of leaf scorch symptoms in okra farms across four local government areas in Imo State during 2023. Field surveys covered 45 farms, with disease assessments, soil sampling, and plant tissue analyses conducted. Laboratory tests identified a complex aetiology, involving Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum vascular infection contributing to marginal leaf scorch symptoms, alongside a suspected phytoplasma infection in a subset of samples exhibiting virescence. Disease incidence based on confirmed fungal pathogen involvement was 36 percent across farms. Nutritional deficiency symptoms were identified as contributing factors in several farms, complicating initial field diagnoses. Farmers had predominantly treated symptoms with mineral fertilisers without addressing the underlying pathological causes. The study recommends integration of soil health assessment alongside pathological testing when diagnosing leaf scorch in okra and calls for further molecular investigations into phytoplasma involvement. Keywords: okra, leaf scorch, Fusarium oxysporum, phytoplasma, Imo State.