Water stress effects induced by stopping watering at vegetative (S1) and flowering (S2) satges were studied o five varieties of okra [Ablemoschus esculentus Moench (L.)]. Water stress effects induced by stopping watering at vegetative (S1) and flowering (S2) satges were studied o five varieties of okra [Ablemoschus esculentus Moench (L.)]. Parameters such as relative water content, membrane permeability, chlorophyll content and yield of capsules varieties were evaluated. Results sow that water deficiency reduces relative water content of okra leaves. This reduction is more pronounced when water lack occurs at flowering stage of plants and, leakage of electrolytes across cell membranes in increasing. . In addition , soil water deficit increased total chlorophyll content of leaves, which is much higher in stressed plants at vegetative stage. At the vegetative stage as to flowering, water deficit also reduces yield of capsules of varieties UAE 1, UAE 40, AUE 45. This reduction is much important when plants were stressed at flowering.

Okra, water deficit, physiology, performance