Effects of accelerated aging on physiological quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) Seeds

Abstract

Seed ageing is the main challenge of seed storage while the maintenance of viability in storage is germane in seed quality preservation.  This study was conducted in 2019 to estimate the potential longevity of the seeds of eight genotypes of okra under accelerated ageing at  the Laboratory of the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The seeds of the  eight okra genotypes (Unaab-10-0116, Unaab-24-1215, Unaab-12-0116, Unaab-09-0116, Unaab-27-1215, Unaab-11-0116, Unaab-22-1215  and Clemson Spineless) were stored in the incubator at 45^oC and 85% relative humidity (RH) conditioned using NaCl and germination  determined at 100 - day time course during storage on 50 seeds. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design with  three replications. Data collected on seed germination, seedling length seedling vigour index, seedling fresh and dry weights were  subjected to Analysis of Variance and treatment means were separated using Duncan‘s Multiple Range Test at 5% probability level.  PROBIT modelling was also used to estimate potential longevity. Considerable differences occurred in the seed quality of the okra seeds  due to differences in genotypes and ageing duration. Genotype Unaab-10-0116 displayed superiority over all the other genotypes with  estimated storage life of 7.15 months. The seed PROBIT modelling result also revealed that Unaab09-0116 seedlots had the storage life of  5.56 months and thus, recommended for future seed improvement programme.