Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an annual vegetable crop in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. It is a member of the Malvaceae Family. Seed priming is pre-sowing soaking treatment for enhancing crop stand and yield performance in many crops. This study was conducted to check the effects of different seed priming treatments on Okra germination and seedling traits in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Okra seed of two distinct varieties were used in this experiment and okra seed were primed with KNO3 1%, KNO3 2%, KNO3 3%, PEG-(0Mpa), PEG-(-0.5Mpa), PEG-(-1Mpa), CaCl2-0.1%, CaCl2-0.5%, CaCl2-1% and no priming. After priming seeds was sown in pots filled with sand. Experimental attributes, i.e. germination percentage, germination rate, root length, shoot length, dry weight of seedling and fresh weight of seedling. The experiment was laid out in Latin Square Design (LSD) with a factorial arrangement keeping two replications. Results showed that seed priming is beneficial for seedling traits of okra but does not perform much better for germination. Control seed (No priming) obtain higher germination percentage, and germination rate but priming with Priming with KNO3 3%, Priming with PEG-(0Mpa).