Seed Viability, Growth and Yield Responses of Two Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.) Varieties to Different Hydro-Priming Durations

Paul Kweku Tandoh; Irene Akua Idun; Akua Boatema Agyeman; Benedicta  Esinam Akweso

doi:10.4314/just.v43i1.1727

Paul Kweku Tandoh Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8110-7333
Irene Akua Idun Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1630-1719
Akua Boatemaa Agyeman Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1341-1200
Benedicta Esinam Akweso Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5185-8531

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v43i1.1727

Keywords: Dormancy, physiological, embryo, radicle, emergence, cell division

Abstract

Okra is a highly nutritious vegetable crop that has the potential to contribute to combating malnutrition in developing countries. However, dormancy due to hard seed coat is a major setback in the production of the crop. This study determined the influence of different hydro-priming durations on the seed viability growth and yield of Asontem and OH-152 Syngenta okra varieties. A 2x3 factorial experiment arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCRD) with three replications was conducted. Factor one was variety at two levels (Asontem and OH-152 Syngenta), and factor two was hydro-priming durations at three levels (0, 12, and 24 hours). The study revealed that OH-152 Syngenta which was primed for 12 hours produced the most vigorous seedlings. The interaction of the OH-25 Syngenta variety with priming for 12 hours also led to early flowering compared with the other treatments. The interaction of priming durations and variety did not significantly affect the number of leaves the different weeks of data collection. However, the OH-152 Syngenta variety, which was primed for 12 hours produced more fruits and also gave higher yield as compared to the other treatments. There were strong, positive and significant relationships between germination percentage and vigour index (r=0.85), number of fruits (r=0.80) as well as number of leaves (r=0.89). Again, there was a strong, positive and significant relationship between vigour index and number of fruits (r=0.93) and weight of fruits (r=0.73). The linear regression analysis also showed that the number of fruits significantly affected the fruit weight such that 80% of the variation in the fruit weight was explained by the number of fruits. Furthermore, the vigour index significantly affected the number of fruits such that 87% of the variation in the number of fruits was attributed to the high vigour index. In conclusion, seeds of OH-152 Syngenta should be primed for 12 hours to improve seed viability growth and yield of the okra variety.

Author Biographies

Paul Kweku Tandoh, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Dr. Paul Kweku Tandoh is a Lecturer at the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. He holds PhD and MPhil in Seed Science and Technology and BSc. Agriculture from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi-Ghana. Dr. Tandoh has 18 years working experience with this University starting as a Senior Technician and rising to the rank of a Leurer. He currently serves as the Assistant Examinations Officer in the Department of Horticulture. Dr. Tandoh’s research interests include seed production of indigenous crops, seed dormancy-release and seed quality evaluation of vegetables, cereals, legumes and forest tree species.

Irene Akua Idun, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Dr. Irene Akua Idun is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Horticulture of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. She is a graduate of KNUST (BSc and MSc) and Stellenbosch University, South Africa (PhD). Her teaching and research works focus on the major topics in Sensory evaluations and drivers of consumer preference for horticultural products, Use of various postharvest techniques for enhancing shelf life as well as, food safety for various fruits and vegetables.

Akua Boatemaa Agyeman, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Akua Boatemaa Agyeman holds BSc. Agriculture from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science. She completed her National Service with the Cocoa Health and Extension Division of Ghana Cocoa Board for the 2022/2023 service year. She is currently working with Dreamyard Educational Complex as a teacher. Her research interests include building resilient seed systems for food security.

Benedicta Esinam Akweso , Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Benedicta Esinam Akweso holds BSc. Agriculture from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science. She completed her National Service with the Department of Horticulture for the 2022/2023 service year as Teaching and Research Assistant. She is currently working with National Youth Authority as a Volunteer. Her research interests include quality assurance in postharvest science.