Breaking of Seed Coat Dormancy in Some Genotypes of West African Okra (Abelmoschus caillei) [A. Chev. Stevels.]
P. M. Jonah *
Department of Crop Science, Adamawa State University, P.M.B. 25, Mubi, Nigeria
M. D. Toungos
Department of Crop Science, Adamawa State University, P.M.B. 25, Mubi, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A two weeks laboratory experiment was conducted in the Department of Crop Science Adamawa State University, Mubi using 15 genotypes of Abelmoschus caillei. The seeds of genotypes were soaked in NaCl solution for 24 hours to study breaking of seed coat dormancy, to induce seed germination; since tough seed coat hinders germination by establishing a permeability barrier that can interfere with the water uptake required for imbibition, radicle and plumule emergence. The results revealed that okra accessions NG/AA/SEP/09/038, NG/SA/DEC/07/0528 and Okra 47-4 responded faster to radicle and plumule emergence. There were significant improvement in seed germination, seedling emergence, seedling establishment and higher crop yield could be achieved through okra seed priming with NaCl solution.
Keywords: Seed coat, seed priming, dormancy, germination, NaCl solution, Abelmoschus caillei