Abstract
Okra seed hardness results in slow and nonuniform germination. This study was conducted to determine the effects of time of harvest and storage on seed germination of four different cultivars of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). The study was carried out at Agricultural faculty of Razi University in years 2009 and 2010. The experimental design was a randomized complete block under factorial arrangement with three replications. Four different cultivars of okra included, ‘Boiatloy’, ‘Beloudo’, ‘Clemsson Seinless’ and ‘Pleas’ and six harvesting times of 20-25-30-35-40 and 50 days after flowering were considered in the present study. The results showed that seed germination increased in 2009 from 3.4%, at first harvesting time, to 46.4% at fifth harvesting time, and in 2010 from 2.9%, at the first harvesting time, to 49.7% at fifth harvesting time. Different cultivars varied in seed germination. In 2009 ‘Plea’ and in 2010 ‘Clemson’ cultivars showed the highest germination. Seeds from different parts of the plant also showed different germination rate. In 2009 seeds from the middle part of the plant with 54.3% and in 2010 seed from the lower part with 50.3 % showed the highest germination. In 2009 seeds from the lower part of pod showed more germination, whereas in 2010 seeds from middle part of pod produced higher germination. By increasing time to harvest, the percentage of seed germination after storage highly increased. Different cultivars during storage showed different behaviors on germination. ‘Beloudo’ cultivar produced more seed germination than other varieties after storage, and ‘Pleas’ after storage produced lower seed germination. Seeds from the middle part of plant and middle part of pod showed a higher germination after storage.
Highlights
IntroductionSeed germination initiated by water imbibition, which results in the enhancement of key enzymes involved in the catabolism of seed storage reserves
Germination is a crucial stage in life cycle of plants (Mokhtar et al, 2009)
Abelmoschus esculentus shows a particular kind of seed dormancy, called delayed permeability caused due to structure of the seed coat and by the chalazal plug
Summary
Seed germination initiated by water imbibition, which results in the enhancement of key enzymes involved in the catabolism of seed storage reserves. These events are under the control of the seed’s genetic make-up, but environmental conditions are effective (Gusta et al, 2004). The occurrence of hardseedness and the low percentage of seed germination are major challenges in growing okra (Luis Felipe et al, 2010). The percentage of seed germination of okra is frequently low, due to tegument impermeability (hard seeds). This is the major barrier to the emergence of okra seeds for commercial producers (Luis Felipe et al, 2010). Harvesting slightly immature seeds and preventing them from completing desiccation can reduce hardseededness
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