Impact of seed hydro priming duration on germination and seedling performance of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. var. Punjab Suhawani)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at main Horticulture Research Farm, Lovely Professional University Phagwara, Punjab during the period from February-May 2021 and 2022. To overcome the problem of seed germination in okra, it can treated with water which are farmers friendly and cost effective. The objective of the experiment was to determine how long okra seeds should be hydroprimed in order to influence germination percentage and seedling performance in okra. There were eight treatments in which one is unprimed and other seven are primed with distilled water for different durations [T1 , 2 hours hydroprimed seeds; T2 , seeds hydroprimed for 4 hours; T3 , seeds hydroprimed for 6 hours; T4 , seeds hydroprimed for 8 hours; T5 , seeds primed for 10 hours; T6 , seeds primed for 12 hours; T7 , seeds primed for 14 hours]. The experiment was laid downin a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data of various parameter likes germination percentage (%) and seedling parameters were recorded to find out the suitable duration of seed hydropriming in okra. Result of the study showed that hydropriming duration of 12 hours recorded maximum seed germination percentage (83.33%), minimum days for germination (7.17), length of shoot (16.56 cm), length of root (8.64 cm), seedling length (25.20 cm), seedling dry weight (25.26 mg), seed vigour index-I (1823.89) and seed vigour index-II (2105.35) as compared to other hydro priming durations. It was concluded that 12 hours of hydropriming duration had positive effect on germination and seedling growth parameters of okra.