Effect of Seed Priming and Storability on Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L) Seed

The study consisted of two separate experiments conducted under laboratory conditions. Firstly, hydropriming duration was standardized for okra seed and then the effect of hydropriming and osmopriming on its storability was assessed. The experiment for standardization of hydropriming duration (16, 24,32,40 and 48 h) laid out in CRD revealed that amongst all seed hydropriming treatments, hydropriming of okra seed for 24 h at room temperature was found to be the best as it resulted in maximum germination and vigour. The seeds of okra cv P-8 were primed with 12 treatments comprising osmopriming with two concentrations of PEG-6000 (–0.5 and –1.0 M Pa) for five different durations (16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 h), hydropriming for 24 h and control (no priming). The seed storage studies were carried out in the laboratory and the stored seeds were tested in CRD with four replications. The primed seeds were stored for three, six, nine and twelve months before testing for germination and vigour at 25^oC in the germinator using paper towel. It was found that seeds primed with PEG 6000 (–0.5M Pa) for 24 h exhibited best results in terms of characters like speed of germination, germination percentage, seedling length and dry weight and vigour index-I and II when these were stored up to 12 months. However after 12 months of storage, there was a sharp decline in germination and vigour of the primed seeds.