Effect of Seed Loculus on the Performance of Okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> [L.] Moench) Varieties

Abstract

The seed loculi of four varieties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench): TAE38, NHAE92, Nwidu and NHAE47-4, were evaluated for growth and yield parameters. Interaction between the seed loculi and the varieties was significant. Seeds from seed loculi 1-10 were more viable in NHAE92 and emerged earlier than seeds from seed loculi 11 through 13 and the control. Numerically, the seeds from the middle seed loculi recorded higher germination percentage than seeds from the apical and basal seed loculi including the control in other varieties studied. Plant height did not vary in most of the varieties studied except in NHAE47-4 at 4 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP). Plants from the middle seed loculi demonstrated faster growth expressed by longer shoots and girths than the apical, basal and control plants of Nwidu and NHAE92. More flowers were initiated in Nwidu and NHAE92 by plants from the middle seed loculi while in NHAE47-4, plants from the seed loculi produced more flowers than the control. Reproductive efficiency varied significantly (p<0.05) within the seed loculi of NHAE92 and Nwidu. In Nwidu, the plants from seed loculi 3 to 13 produced more fruits from the flowers they initiated and the control plants expressed as a percentage from 50 to 85.0 than seed loculi 1 and 2 with a range of 38 to 48. However in NHAE92, plants from seed loculi 4 and 5 including the control recorded 74 and 85 as opposed to other seed loculi ranging from 51 to 69. Heavier seeds were produced by the middle and basal seed loculi in NHAE47-4, TAE38 and NHAE92 while in Nwidu, only the middle seed loculi produced the heaviest seeds.


Int. J. Agric. Rural Dev., 2003, 4: 92-99