A survey was conducted in Maiduguri during the 2016 cropping season to identify the serotypes and distribution of Okra Leaf Curl Disease on okra plants to cover 30 major okra growing areas in Maiduguri. The confirmation of serotypes of the virus was performed using African Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV) and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) antibodies obtained from Deutche Sammlang von Mikroorganism and Zeckulturan (DSMZ) Brauschweig, Germany. The reactivity of 30 different Okra Leaf Curl Virus (OLCV) isolates after tests with antisera with TAS ELISA distinguished four serological profiles: those which showed positive reaction with the two antisera; the second serological profile included samples that showed positive reaction with only TYLCV antisera; the third serological profile showed positive reaction with only ACMV antisera; and the fourth serological profile included samples which had negative reaction with the two antisera (TYLCV and ACMV). Based on the results of the study, various serotypes exists and begomovirus occurring on tomato and cassava in neighboring farms also infects okra in Maiduguri. Such information could eventually be used in the development of integrated begomovirus management. Further, the information obtained in this study is important for new trends of other possible management solutions for begomovirus which worth to try in developing countries like Nigeria. The knowledge of these serotypes of the virus provides a sound basis for understanding the present status, distribution and mixed infection structure of begomoviruses in its different hosts including okra and other important vegetables across growing areas in Nigeria.

Keywords: Okra, Okra Leaf Curl Disease, Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus, Africa Cassava Mosaic Virus, Serotypes