INTRODUCTION
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is grown
mainly for its edible immature pods in the tropics but,
in most African countries, young leaves and mature
seeds are consumed and, where the young leaves are
often picked and used as a vegetable, they are at least
as important as the fruiting pods. The leaf yield in
such areas is 3–6 t/ha (Schippers 2000). Okra young
fruiting pods and young leaves are a good source of
protein, energy, vitamins and minerals, particularly
Ca, P and Mg. The young leaves contain 2.0 g protein,
0.99 mg carotene, 0.10 mg thiamine, 0.10 mg
riboflavin and 25 mg vitamin C/100 g edible portion