Production capacity of seeds affected by green fruit pickings in six varieties of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract

Successful seed production depends on the variety, the environment, and the agricultural practices. Limited information is available on the effects of green podpicking treatments on the production of seeds. Therefore, two-season field experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 to study the effects of four green fruit picking treatments (no green fruit picking 'T1', first two pickings 'T2', first 4 pickings 'T3', and first 6 pickings 'T4') and six varieties (Pusa Sawani 'V1', Emerald 'V2', Eskandarany 'V3', Baladi Assiut 'V4', Beghera Iraqi 'V5', and NOKH-1002 "F1 hybrid okra 'V6') on okra growth and seed yield and quality. The results of the experiment showed that okra plants of T1, followed by those treated with T2 had higher number of dry pods/plant, weight of pods/plant, and seed weight (kg/feddan), seed vitamin C, and pH in both seasons. Plants of T3 were significantly taller than T1 in both seasons. There were differential responses of the studied varieties to the picking treatments. Plants of 'Eskandarany' with no pickings, followed by 'Emerald' with two pickings always had higher number of dry pods, weight of pods/plant, and seed weight (kg/feddan). We can conclude that okra plants with no green fruit picking, as compared to two, four, and six fruit pickings, can be the best option for seed production due to the observed higher number of dry pods, weight of pods/plant, seed yield and quality.