Effects of osmo-priming on germination, growth and green pod yield of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] at Luyengo, Middleveld of Eswatini

Abstract

Okra is a nutritious summer vegetable crop in Eswatini. However, it has slow and uneven germination. Seed pre-sowing treatment through osmo-priming can enhance the germination, growth and yield of okra. Thus, laboratory and field experiments were conducted at Luyengo, Middleveld of Eswatini in 2019/2020 cropping season to determine the effect of osmo-priming on germination, growth and yield of okra. Treatments included priming of seeds with Polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% and unprimed control. Completely randomized design was used for the laboratory experiment and randomized complete block design was used for the field experiment. Results showed significant (p<0.01) effect of seed priming on the germination index, mean germination time and final germination percentage of okra seeds. Significantly the highest germination index (5.2) and final germination percentage (66) were recorded in priming with 15% PEG. Similarly, seeds priming with 15% PEG resulted in significantly the highest number of leaves per plant (12.07), leaf area index (1.49), canopy height (120.9 cm), and number of branches per plant (8.13). Moreover, okra seeds primed in 15% PEG resulted in the highest pod length and total green pod yield (2009.8 kg ha-1). Thus, it can be concluded that seed priming with 15% PEG is the most effective in improving the germination, growth and yield of okra in the study area.