Germination and hardseedness of seeds in okra elite lines

Abstract

The occurrence of hardseedness and the low percentage of seed germination are major challenges when growing okra. For this reason, five elite lines of okra developed at the Campinas Agronomic Institute (IAC), three with angular pods (lines 8.1, 20.1.2 and 47.1) and two with cylindrical pods (lines 13.1.2 and 20.1.R), were evaluated for seed quality and compared to two commercial seed samples (Horticeres Sementes and Sakata Seed Sudamerica) of cultivar Santa Cruz 47. Seeds were field produced in an experiment set in the Technological Park of the Horticulture Center of IAC, in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, in a randomized block design, with three replications and 20-plant plots. Fruits were harvested 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 and 75 days after anthesis (DAA). Seeds were extracted straight away and subjected to the standard germination test in the laboratory. Observing the results, we concluded that, as far as seed quality is concerned, angular pods must be harvested earlier than cylindrical pods, more precisely 45 DAA to the line 47.1 and 45 to 55 DAA for lines 8.1 and 20.1.2. Seeds extracted from angular fruits harvested after these periods had reduced germination and increased hardseedness. Seeds from cylindrical capsules had the same behavior of the commercial seeds of cultivar Santa Cruz 47, showing better germination when extracted from pods harvested between 55 and 75 DAA, and no hardseedness.

Characterization of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Genotypes for Fruit Firmness, other Horticultural Traits and Heritability Studies

“…Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is known as "bhindi tori" in Pakistan, belongs to family Malvaceae, having its origin in Africa, now found in several countries across Asia and Africa (NRC, 2006). It is an annual, hardy and high-yielding plant, which greatly differs in size, fruit shape, pigmentation, branching habit, fruiting span, fruit yield and fruit firmness (Purquerio et al, 2010). Okra fruits contain water (88%), protein (1.52 g), carbohydrates (5.76 g), vitamin C (13.1 mg), Ca (0.4 mg), folic acid (36.5 μg), Mg (46 mg), K (256.6 mg) and dietary fibre (2 g), which help in lowering serum cholesterol, reducing heart disease and cancer, especially colorectal cancer (Aminu et al, 2016).…”

Varietal performance and correlation of okra pod yield and yield components

“…It ranks above other vegetable crops including cabbage, amaranths, and lettuce [2]. Okra is an annual, hardy, erect, and high-yielding plant, which varies in size, pod shape, pigmentation, degree of branching, period of maturity, and plant height [3]. Okra is usually grown in Nigeria during the rainy season; it is limited to irrigation in the dry season, especially in the Fadama vegetation [4].…”

Effect of N Fertilization on Pod and Seed Characteristics of Okra in Relation to Plant Part

“…The effect of pod position on seed quality in okra has already been reported by Purquerio, Lago, and Passos (2010). Yadav et al (2001) observed higher seed germination from pods harvested from lower positions on the okra plant, while Prabhakar, Hedge, Srinivas, and Doijode (1985) and Naik, Vogeesha, Bhanuprakash & Padmini (2004) reported that seeds harvested from okra pods produced at the lower nodes (up to the 8 th node) had better quality.…”