Seed Priming’s Effectiveness in Improving Okra Germination and Seedling Growth

Abstract

Seed priming is a pre-sowing seed treatment technique that enables the seed to emerge fast, raise vigor, and increase yield potential. Field research was done to evaluate the efficacy of seed priming on germination and seedling growth of okra in Nawalpur, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized completely blocked design (RCBD) from May to June 2020. Open-pollinated variety Arka anamika with four treatments (T1; priming with tap water for 24 hours, T2: priming with hot water at 500c for 5 minutes, T3: priming with cow’s urine at 2% concentration for 3 hours, and T4: priming with NaCl at 3% concentration for 12 hours) was evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design that included five replications for each treatment. The germination study was done for 10 days after sowing whereas the seedling growth parameter was done after germination up to 15 DAS. The result of the study showed that the highest germination percentage (72%), seed vigor (1451.00 cm), and plant height (9.19 cm) was observed in seed primed with hot water. Similarly, the lowest mean germination time MGT (1.66 days) and highest shoot length (10.68 cm) were observed in seeds primed with NaCl. Overall, seed priming with hot water and NaCl were found effective to ameliorate germination and seedling growth in okra under field conditions in Nawalpur.