Effect of Priming Agents on Okra Seed Germination and Plant Growth under Salt Stress

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.