Comparative study of microflora population on the phylloplane of Common Okra [<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> l. (Moench.)]

Abstract

Microflora isolates on healthy green leaves of mature Okra were estimated. The leaves were categorized based on their point of harvest into old, new and middle with a week interval between each harvest. The diversity and frequency of occurrence was higher [18 (60.00 %)] at first sampling than at second sampling [9 (60.00 %)] for fungi, bacteria [12 (40.00 %)] and [6 (40.00 %)] respectively. Total microbial population in the second sampling was higher [177.5 cfu/ml] than the first [160 cfu/ml]. The total cumulative bacteria count was 390 cfu/ml and 366 cfu/ml for fungi during the studies. Ten genera of fungi and six genera of bacteria were examined. The predominant flora was identified to the genera Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Mucor, Aspergillus and Penicilum, for the fungi while Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, and Serratia for the bacteria. Further studies could help identify major players in the phylloplane microbial ecology.

Keywords: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), Phylloplane, Microflora population, Bacteria and Fungi