Effect of fruit and mothe-plant ages on the viability and longevity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) seeds.

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the effect of fruit and mother-plant ages on the viability and longevity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) seed. Mass planting experiment for seed production was carried out at the teaching and research farm of The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria, during the 2021 rainy season. The experiment consisted of two varieties of okra and nine fruit harvesting stages at different days after anthesis (DAA), which gives 2x9 treatment combinations arranged in completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated four times. Data were collected on the mother-plant ages at harvest on the quality of okra seed, based on seed moisture content, 100-seed weight, fruit length, number of fruits per plant, plant height, leave area, seed colour, fruit weight, seed germination test. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using mini tab version 19 and means were separated using turkey test at 5% level of probability. The results indicated that okra seeds are influenced by age of the fruit. Also, that timing of harvest is an important factor since both early and late harvest reduces seed quality. It is concluded that okra fruit age should be considered in okra seed viability.