Germination and the Potential Persistence of Weedy and Domestic Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Seeds

Abstract

Germination and longevity of weedy and three domestic okra [Abelmoschus esculentus(L.) Moench. # ABMES] cultivars were investigated. Hard seed coats are the major reason for okra seed dormancy. Hard seeds of weedy okra, induced to germinate by scarification of seed coats, produced plants yielding 94 to 99% hard seeds. Of these, 40% remained hard but viable after overwintering in the soil at 5 cm deep. Nonhard seeds of weedy okra produced plants that yielded 95 to 99% hard seeds, but only 20% remained hard after overwintering in the soil at 5 cm deep. The ‘White Velvet’ cultivar of okra produced a few hard seeds, but none survived longer than 3 months in the soil. The other domestic cultivars, ‘Dwarf Green Long Pod’ and ‘Clemson Spineless', produced no hard seeds. None of these seeds survived over winter in the soil. Some seeds of White Velvet became slightly harder during dry storage based on time in concentrated H2SO4necessary to induce 80% germination. Although the hard-seed trait existed in the population of this domestic cultivar, it is unlikely that the seeds would overwinter. Seeds that overwinter in a dry condition may be the exception. Because a high percentage of hard seeds overwinter and germinate the following spring, weedy okra has the potential to become a persistent problem.