Seasonal incidence of insects and diseases on okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) crop in zoba Anseba

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is one of the important vegetable crops of Eritrea and many insect pests and diseases infest the crop from germination up to harvesting. The field trail was conducted at Hamelmalo Agricultural College in okra crop to study the seasonal incidence of pest and diseases. Insects such as aphid, leafhopper, spotted bollworm and dusky cotton bug were noticed on the crop whereas plant diseases like powdery mildew and okra blight infested the crop. The maximum average population of aphids/plant was 143 with (r = 0.452) and its population increased from December to March. The jassid population was non-significantly affected the okra but maximum population (13 leafhoppers/plant) was recorded during February. The maximum number of spotted bollworm was 7 larva?/plant. The dusky bug population was 0.6 and 11 per plant during February and March, respectively. The natural enemies, lady bird beetle and sirphid fly, were recorded but their population were non-significant with (r=0.800) and (r = 0.316) with maximum and minimum temperature. The incidence of powdery mildew and okra blight appeared during February and their severity increased till harvesting period. The overall disease complexes were found 85% per plant .