Morpho-physiological response of okra (Abelmoschus esculentum L.) genotypes to moisture stress during reproductive stage

Seven okra cultivars viz., Arka Anamika, Arka Abhay, Pusa Makhmali, Varsha, IIHR-1685, DHR-83 and BO-1 were studied for their morpho-physiological response to moisture stress during reproductive stage in pot cultured plants. Moisture stress was imposed posed by withholding irrigation for 10 days at the reproductive stage. In the irrigated plants the relative water content varied from 72–82%, while in the stressed plants it decreased to 66–75%. The maximum RWC was found in BO-1 during the stress. A reduction of 25–70% in leaf area was found in the stressed plants of different genotypes. The maximum reduction in photosynthesis was noted in Pusa Makhamali followed by IIHR-1685 and Arka Anamika. Genotype BO-1 maintained the higher level of photosynthesis (11.5 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) followed by Varsha (9.7 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and Arka Abhay (8.8 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) at the 10 day of stress. Though there was a significant recovery in photosynthetic rate in the stressed plants after release the stress, the further growth was affected considerably in these plants and thus resulted in a significant decrease in per plant yield. The maximum reduction was found in IIHR-1685, while the minimum decrease in yield of 8 and 13% was recorded in BO-1 and Varsha.