Effects of location of seed in fruit on seed quality of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the Crop Production Department Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Minna Niger State, Nigeria. Field work for seed multiplication was done at the research farm of Crop Production Department during the raining season of 2019. Two plots of land (plot 1 and 2) measuring 15m by 26m each were prepared for the mass production of seeds of LD88 okra varieties Treatments were locations (base, middle and top) replicated four times and fitted into a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Sample of seeds of each of the different treatments was placed in an open plastic plate measuring 300 mL. The containers were placed in the incubator at a temperature of 37 0C. Data were collected on number of seed per fruit, seed yield, seed moisture content, 100-seed weight, germination percentage, germination speed and electrical conductivity of the seeds. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Rang Test (DMRT). The results showed that significantly higher (p<0.05) number of seeds and seed yield were recorded at middle and top over the base. The base had a significantly heaviest (p<0.05)100-seed weight, followed by the middle while the top had the least value.. Germination percentage was generally best at the base and middle locations. The top seeds had the highest leachate. Germination speed was insignificantly similar in the three locations