Effect of pod maturation on vegetative growth, fruit yield and seed germination of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)Effet de la maturation des gousses sur la croissance vegetative, la production des fruits et la germination des graines du gombo (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of stage of pod maturity on vegetative growth, yield and seed germination of three varieties of okra; Accra No. 2, Clemson Spineless and Labadi Dwarf. Pods were harvested 6,12,18,24 and 30 days after anthesis. Fresh fruit yield of plants harvested 6 days after anthesis was two times those harvested 30 days after anthesis. Percentage germination however, increased with pod age, with mean percentage germination of 0.0, 4.0, 38.0, 79.0, and 84.0 obtained from pods harvested at 6,12,18,24 and 30 days after anthesis, respectively. Plants on which pods were allowed to dry showed stunted growth. It is therefore recommended that pods should be harvested at 6 days after anthesis for fresh fruits and 24 days for seed production.

Keywords: pod maturity, pod yield, seed germination, okra, Abelmoschus escunlentus (L.) Moench

Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana Vol. 3 2004: 227-235