Enhancing Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench)] Performance: A Comparative Study of Priming Across Varieties

Abstract

This study, titled “Enhancing okra performance: A comparative study of priming across varieties,” aimed to evaluate the effects of osmopriming with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 6000 and biopriming with Pseudomonas fluorescens on five okra varieties—Aruna, Anjitha, Pusa-5, Salkeerthi, and Varsha Uphar. The initial seed quality parameters of all the five varieties were assessed immediately after these treatments. Variety Salkeerthi showed superiority for germination and vigour indices closely followed by Varsha Uphar. Both priming treatments had similar effects on initial seed quality parameters and showed superiority over the control. The research employed a Randomized Complete Block design with three replications to assess growth, fruit, and seed traits, revealing significant differences among varieties, treatments, and their interaction. Varsha Uphar exhibited the highest field emergence, plant height, early flowering, number of fruits per plant, and seed yield per plant. Pusa-5 achieved the highest fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. Among treatments, biopriming with Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2) excelled in field emergence, number of branches, and fruit traits, while osmopriming with PEG 6000 (T1) was superior for internodal length and seeds per pod. The Varsha Uphar × Pseudomonas fluorescens combination (V5 × T2) recorded the best performance in field emergence, days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, and seed yield per plant. Meanwhile, Pusa-5 × PEG 6000 (V3 × T1) produced the highest fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. The findings indicate that priming, particularly biopriming with Pseudomonas fluorescens, significantly enhances seedling emergence, growth, and yield, highlighting its potential for improving okra productivity. This study underscores the value of adopting seed priming techniques to optimize performance in okra cultivation.