Okra: Nutritional Value and Production Practices in South Florida

Xiaoying Li , Peyton Ecklund, Yuncong Li, Monalisa Seaton, Dakshina Seal, Shouan Zhang, Abolfazl Hajihassani, Guodong Liu, Xingbo Wu, andHaimanote Bayabil

Release Date: 1/25/2026

DOI: 10.32473/edis-hs1512-2026

Agriculture

Abstract

This EDIS publication introduces okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) as a versatile crop with significant potential in south Florida. The paper provides an overview of the plant’s nutritional and medicinal benefits, global production trends, and multiple uses, along with practical guidance on cultivation, pest and disease management, and harvesting. The publication is designed to serve as a resource for researchers, students, Extension agents, growers, crop certified advisors, crop consultants, food industry professionals, and the public interested in this high-value crop.

About this Publication

This document is HS1512, one of a series of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2026. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2026 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

How to Cite

Li, X., Ecklund, P., Li, Y., Seaton, M., Seal, D., Zhang, S., Hajihassani, A., Liu, G., Wu, X., & Bayabil, H. (2026). Okra: Nutritional Value and Production Practices in South Florida. EDIS, 2026(1). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1512-2026

Authors

Xiaoying Li

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

assistant professor, horticulture vegetable crops, Department of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

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Peyton Ecklund

student

University of Florida

graduate research assistant, plant pathology, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

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Yuncong Li

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, soil and water quality, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

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Monalisa Seaton

student

University of Florida

graduate research assistant, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Tropical Reseach and Education Center, Homestead, FL

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Dakshina Seal

Specialist

University of Florida

scientist, pest management, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

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Shouan Zhang

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, vegetable and tropical fruit disease management, Department of Plant Pathology, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

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Abolfazl Hajihassani

Specialist

University of Florida

assistant professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL

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Guodong Liu

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, crop nutrition, UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences

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Xingbo Wu

Specialist

University of Florida

assistant professor, ornamental breeding, genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, Department of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

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Haimanote Bayabil

Specialist

University of Florida

associate professor, water resources, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

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Publication #HS1512