Yield and Nutraceutical Quality of Okra in Temperate to Cold Weather Under Greenhouse Conditions

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) represents an alternative for agriculture in warm regions due to its adaptation to high temperatures, drought tolerance, and content of bioactive compounds with nutraceutical potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and nutraceutical quality of the Carmine Splendor (red fruit) and Jambalaya (green fruit) hybrids under organic and conventional production systems in temperate to cold greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted during the 2024 fall-winter season in Buenavista, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, using a completely randomized block design. Yield variables (fruits plant⁻¹, kg plant⁻¹, and t ha⁻¹) and the content of β-carotene, phenols, and total flavonoids were evaluated. The results showed that Carmine under organic management achieved the highest yield (10.153 t ha⁻¹), demonstrating the predominant influence of genotype on productivity. Conventional Jambalaya had the highest concentration of β-carotene (0.013 mg g⁻¹ FW), while conventional Carmine had the highest content of total phenols (0.581 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW). Likewise, organic Carmine had the highest concentration of total flavonoids (0.503 mg CAT g⁻¹ DW), suggesting that the interaction between genotype and organic management favors the accumulation of antioxidant compounds.