Articles
Effects of pre-germination treatments on seed germination of Swaziland and Nigerian okra (Corchorus olitorius L.) landraces
Article number
1204_19
Pages
143 – 152
Language
English
Abstract
Bush okra (Corchorus olitorius L.) has a potential for production as a major traditional leafy vegetable crop consumed in many parts of Africa.
It is generally propagated by seeds.
However, the low germination rate of seeds harvested from the previous season is a big challenge.
Wild okra seeds were thus treated with different pre-germination treatments.
Seeds with a seed viability of 88.9% (determined using the Tetrazolium technique), were exposed to seven pre-treatments; water at room temperature (control), hot water at 100°C, sulphuric acid (98%), dry heat at 80°C, physical scarification, chilling at 6°C and freezing for 15 min.
Soaking seeds in boiling water at 100°C for 10 s was effective in enhancing a maximum germination of 84.7% on Swaziland okra.
The Nigerian okra seeds had 79.1% germination after being subjected to dry heat at 80°C for 15 min.
The seeds soaked in sulphuric acid (98%) for 15 min, resulted in 21.1% germination for Swaziland okra while the Nigerian okra achieved 20.8% germination.
Scarification by rubbing the seeds with sand paper was found to be less effective, achieving 2.8% germination for Swaziland okra and 5.3% germination for Nigerian okra, while chilling and freezing gave varying less effective results between 1.6 and 16.9%, respectively.
Soaking of okra seeds in boiling water for 10 s can thus be recommended as the most effective treatment for enhancing germination of okra seeds.
This is also a relatively simple and cheap method.
It is generally propagated by seeds.
However, the low germination rate of seeds harvested from the previous season is a big challenge.
Wild okra seeds were thus treated with different pre-germination treatments.
Seeds with a seed viability of 88.9% (determined using the Tetrazolium technique), were exposed to seven pre-treatments; water at room temperature (control), hot water at 100°C, sulphuric acid (98%), dry heat at 80°C, physical scarification, chilling at 6°C and freezing for 15 min.
Soaking seeds in boiling water at 100°C for 10 s was effective in enhancing a maximum germination of 84.7% on Swaziland okra.
The Nigerian okra seeds had 79.1% germination after being subjected to dry heat at 80°C for 15 min.
The seeds soaked in sulphuric acid (98%) for 15 min, resulted in 21.1% germination for Swaziland okra while the Nigerian okra achieved 20.8% germination.
Scarification by rubbing the seeds with sand paper was found to be less effective, achieving 2.8% germination for Swaziland okra and 5.3% germination for Nigerian okra, while chilling and freezing gave varying less effective results between 1.6 and 16.9%, respectively.
Soaking of okra seeds in boiling water for 10 s can thus be recommended as the most effective treatment for enhancing germination of okra seeds.
This is also a relatively simple and cheap method.
Publication
Authors
M.T. Masarirambi, S.S. Makhanya, P.K. Wahome, T.O. Oseni
Keywords
okra, Corchorus olitorius, Swaziland, seed germination, hot water treatment
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