Effect of diversity and seed priming on seed quality in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench]

Seed vigour is an important quality attribute, which is a complex character governed by many factors and requires the indexing of many components. Vigour tests are evaluated to predict the potential seed performance, particularly seedling growth rate, seedling emergence in field, plant uniformity, crop yield and storability. Seed priming is a physiological seed treatment which brings about qualitative improvement in the seed that persists even after treatment is removed and helps in breaking dormancy and uniformity of germination. Priming of seeds resulted in increased dry matter production at vegetative stage due to continuous gain in plant height, number of branches and fruits and highest yield at reproductive stage, faster growth, better establishment of seedlings. Out of several methods of seed priming, two of them viz, hydropriming and halopriming are more prominent. Okra seeds of 15 genotypes when halo primed with KNO₃ recorded more than 65.33% (IC282288, IC411698) seed germination over check (30.00%). Seeds haloprimed with CaCl₂ showed positive effect in faster and uniform germination in genotypes IC332232 (58.67%) and IC411698 (78.67%). Seed priming enhanced the synchronous germination and speed of germination in the genotypes IC411698 (1.67) and IC89936 (2.03).