Abstract:
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a valuable vegetable crop grown in tropical and
subtropical regions worldwide. It is a versatile crop due to the numerous applicalbns
of its fresh leaves, buds, blooms, pods, stems, and seeds. Hence, this experimentwas
carried out to study the effect of priming agents on okra seed germination and pnt
growth under salt stress. A laboratory experiment was designed to identifu a sui$le
concentration of priming agents with fifteen treatments each with three replic*es,
including a control (T0) priming with water, and four treatments (25%, 50o6,75yo,
100%) of carrot root extract, neem leaf extract, garlic clove extract, two treatments B7o,
5%) of MgSO+. Thereafter, using the identified appropriate concentration, a pot
experiment was carried out with five treatments each with five replicates, includiry a
control (T0*) primed with water and 50o/o (T2*) carrot root extract, l00yo (T8*) rnem
leaf extract,25yo (T9*) garlic clove extract, 3% (Tl3*) MgSO+, and sodium chlaide
(100mM) was used to create salinity for each treatment. In the laboratory experimnt
okra seed primed with 100% neem leaf extract,25o garlic clove extract, 50Yo curot
root extract, and 3% MgSO+ improved germination parameters; The radicle leryth
showed significant differences (p<0.05) throughout the period, the germinaion
percentage showed significant improvement in the later stage, but the plumule leqth
did not show significant differences however, it increased with time. In the pot
experiment, the result indicated that okra seeds primed with 3% MgSO+ (Tl3*)
exhibited superior growth parameters compared to other treatments. Even though phnts
in T13* showed significant increases in plant height, number of leaves, number of
branches, stem girth, and relative water content, its expense may limit its use by lrcal
farmers. After 3%o MgSO+ (T13*), 50Yo canot root extracf (T2*) also showed thebest
performance, offers a more budget fiiendly solution. Because of its lower cost and
organic nature, it is a suitable and recommended alternative for local farmers. Basd on
the results, it is recommended that 50yo carrot root extract be used to prime okra sceds
for 24 hours to grow the okra plant in salt affected areas.
