Abstract
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a popular vegetable grown in most parts of Sri Lanka. Farmers and home gardeners purchase seeds in packed-form from retail outlets. However, quality problems are frequently reported, especially claiming low field germination even with the laboratory-tested and certified seeds. Quality parameters namely, percentage germination, moisture, field emergence and vigour index analysis were used to determine the effect of different storage environmental conditions on seed longevity of two okra varieties during a two-year storage period, from March 2016 to March 2018. Seeds in triple-laminated packets stored in four contrasting environments, namely, low temperature storage conditions (17°C and 60-65% RH); three geoenvironmental conditions namely; Gannoruwa (Mid Country Wet Zone), Kundasale (Mid Country Intermediate Zone), and MahaIlluppallama (Low Country Dry Zone) displayed varied behavior in seed quality parameters respective of the variety. It was apparent that germination test alone does not represent the full potential of field emergence. Results of the present study revealed that when field emergence and vigour are also taken in to account, both varieties of okra seed (with initial germination and moisture of ca. 94% and ca. 10%) can be stored under ambient conditions at Gannoruwa, Kundasale or MahaIlluppallama for a maximum period of 12 months, without compromising the seed quality. The seeds stored under low temperature conditions (i.e. 17°C), maintained the seed germination over 75% for a period of 24 months.
Highlights
IntroductionMoench) is a popular vegetable grown in most parts of Sri Lanka with a total cultivated extent of 8,367 ha (Maha 2017/18 and Yala 2018), while producing 54,265 mt annually (Department of Census and Statistics, 2018)
Certified seeds of okra are produced in Sri Lanka in seed farms of Department of Agriculture (DOA) and in related contracted farmer fields in different areas of the country
Seed packets were stored at following locations representing three major agroclimatic zones of Sri Lanka; (a) Gannoruwa Vegetable Seed Centre (Mid Country Wet Zone), (b) Kundasale Seed Sales Centre (Mid Country Intermediate Zone) and (c) Mahailluppallama Seed Sales Centre (Low Country Dry Zone) of the DOA under ambient conditions
Summary
Moench) is a popular vegetable grown in most parts of Sri Lanka with a total cultivated extent of 8,367 ha (Maha 2017/18 and Yala 2018), while producing 54,265 mt annually (Department of Census and Statistics, 2018). Certified seeds of okra are produced in Sri Lanka in seed farms of Department of Agriculture (DOA) and in related contracted farmer fields in different areas of the country. The certified seeds are stored at different agro-ecological regions in Sri Lanka. Seeds are exposed to prevailing ambient temperature and relative humidity at selling points for several months until they reach the farmer. One of the common accusations from farmers who buy these certified and guaranteed seeds is that, the seeds do not germinate in the field as expected. Many investigators reported that the speed of decline in seed quality is largely dependent on seed quality at harvest, prestorage treatments, storage temperature, packing materials, relative humidity, seed moisture content, length of the storage and type of seeds (Walters and Roos, 1990, Yangpin et al, 2000; Gomez-Campo, 2006; Walters, 2007)
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