Some of the important diseases of vegetables in the South and their control a re described in Disease Management.
Thrips can attack okra in the seedling and early juvenile stages, delaying crop development.
Okra is susceptible to southern stem rot and to both Verticillium and Fusarium wilts. Cercospera leaf spot and powdery mildew may appear when plants start to decline at the end of the season. The application of fungicides is usually not economically justified. Botrytis flower blight can be a serious problem in dense canopies. Choanephora rot of blossoms and pods can cause severe problems when plants are spaced closely with poor air circulation.