Influence of seed priming agents on germination and early seedling growth of okra (abelmoschus esculentus)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the laboratory of Plant Physiology Section of Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute during two consecutive years 2023 and 2024 (from 8 May to 16 May 2023 and 6 May to 15 May 2024) to investigate the effect of different priming agents on seed germination and early seedling growth of okra. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two okra varieties, namely BARI Dheros-2 and OK1820, and 11 priming agents viz., unprimed control, DH₂O (distilled water), 150 ppm GA₃ (gibberellic acid), 200 ppm GA₃, 40 ppm SA (salicylic acid), 50 ppm SA, 0.25% KNO₃ (potassium nitrate), 0.50% KNO₃, 40 mM H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide), 100 ppm HA (humic acid) and 200 ppm HA. Seed germination percentage, T₅₀ (time required for 50% germination) value, speed of germination and germination value were enhanced significantly in both the varieties of okra at 40 mM H₂O₂ followed by 200 ppm HA and distilled water.  Seedling growth expressed by seedling length and seedling dry weight, and seedling vigour (seedling vigour index-I and seedling vigour index-II) were also increased at 40 mM H₂O₂, 200 ppm HA and distilled water. Therefore, it was concluded that for obtaining better germination and vigorous seedlings in okra the seeds may be soaked in either 40 mM H₂O₂ or 200 ppm HA or distilled water for 18 hours.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 50(4): 423-441, December 2025