SEED PRIMING TO IMPROVE GERMINATION, YIELD AND SEED QUALITY OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH)

Abstract

The study was conducted with the seeds of two okra varieties, BARI Okra-1 and OK 285 and six treatments viz., control, hydropriming for 12h, priming with 0.5% KH»PO, for 12h, priming with 2% H2O> solution for 12h, priming with 2.2% CaCl, for 12h and priming with 2% KNOs for 12h to observe the influence of these invigoration treatments to improve germination, seedling growth, yield and seed quality of okra. Different seed priming treatments had significant effects on germination, vigor and seedling vigor. Germination percentage and co-efficient of germination were the highest in KNO3 primed seeds in BARI Okra-1 and in case of OK 285 germination percentage and coefficient of germination were the highest in KH2PO, primed seeds. The highest vigor index and germination index were found in KNO3; primed seeds in BARI Okra-1, whereas in OK 285 the highest vigor index and germination index were observed with KH>)PO, primed seeds. Higher seedling vigor was observed in KNO3 primed seeds in variety BARI Okra-1, whereas in Ok 285 it was observed in KH2POy, primed seeds. KNO; primed seeds had minimum electrical conductivity on all measuring periods than all other treatments in BARI Okra-1, whereas in variety OK 285 KH2PO, primed seeds had minimum electrical conductivity. The number of days for attaining different growth stages was affected by the seed invigoration treatments. BARI Okra-1 with KNO3 primed seeds required the lowest number of days for attaining different phenological stages, like, days to 50% emergence, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering and higher field emergence per cent, whereas, in OK 285 KH2PO, primed seeds required the lowest number of days for attaining different phenological stages.