Effects of sodium azide and ethyl methane sulfonate on okra seedlings

This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of sodium azide (SA) and ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) on morphological traits, flowering, and fruiting characteristics of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). The morphological parameters of okra seedlings, including germination percentage, seedling length, seed vigor index, leaf area, and survival percentage, which were assessed after 30 days of growth under different mutagenic treatments. The results indicated significant decrease in germination percentage, seedling length, seed vigor index, leaf area, and survival percentage with increasing concentrations of SA and EMS. The reproductive characteristics of okra plants, such as the number of flowers, duration from sowing to flowering, duration from flowering to fruiting, number of fruits, fruit length, and fruit weight, were also influenced by mutagenic treatments. Higher concentrations of mutagens led to increased flower and fruit production but resulted in shorter, lighter fruits with fewer seeds. Conversely, lower concentrations of mutagens produced larger fruits with more seeds.