Pre-sowing seed bio-priming in okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.)

Bio-priming is a process of biological seed treatment that refers to combination of seed hydration and inoculation of seed with beneficial organism to protect seed. It is an ecological approach using selected fungal antagonists against the soil and seed-borne pathogens. Biological seed treatments provide an alternative to chemical control. Seed priming as one of the most important developments to help rapid and uniform germination and emergence of seeds, and to increase seed tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. Seed priming is now a widely used commercial process that accelerates the germination rate and improves seedling uniformity in many crops. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kollam during 2017-18, conducted On farm testing on pre-sowing seed bio-priming in okra and the trial was conducted with twelve treatments and three replications. The main objective of the experiment was to assess the effect of different bio agents in seed germination, growth, yield and disease incidence in okra. Response of different okra varieties towards seed bio priming was also noted. Pre-sowing bio- priming of okra seeds with Psuedomonas at the rate of 8 g per liter was found to increase seed germination percentage, plant height, number of nodes per plant and number of branches per plant in okra. It was also found to increase number of pods per plant, pod length, diameter and pod weight. Bio priming of okra seeds with Psuedomonas increased total vegetable yield per plant and also resulted in lower pest and disease incidence in okra. Lowest vegetable yield per plant, pod yield, pod weight were reported from untreated okra seeds. Among different okra varieties tested, seed bio-priming of variety Arka Anamika gave better growth, highest yield and less disease incidence.