What is Abelmoschus Odishae?

About the Abelmoschus Odishae:

• It is a new plant species of ‘wild okra’.
• It was discovered in a moist deciduous forest in Banspal block in Keonjhar district, Odisha.
• It can be used for hybridisation to create a better variety with high disease resistance.
• It can also play a vital role in widening the genetic base of okra.
• Features:
  • It is a perennial shrub up to 5 metres high with a densely hispid, prickly stem with retrorse hairs.
  • It has large, deep yellow flowers.
  • It has sub-reniform seeds with short, stout, and non-spiral trichomes.
  • It also has a seed viability of 95 percent.

What is Okra?

• Okra, also known as gumbo or ladies’ fingers, is a warm-season vegetable. 
• It is native to the tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere and is widely cultivated or naturalised in the tropics and subtropics of the Western Hemisphere.
• It comes in green and red varieties.
• It is part of the mallow family of botanicals, which also includes cocoa and cotton.
• It is a good source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre.
• Okra has a mild taste and a unique texture, with a peach-like fuzz on the outside. Inside the pod are small, edible seeds.
• It contains a sticky juice that people use to thicken sauces.

Key Facts about the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):

• It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
• Formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established on 16 July, 1929, as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It is responsible for coordinating agricultural education and research in India.
• With 113 ICAR institutes and 74 agricultural universities spread across the country, this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.