Effect of salt stress on seed germination and seedling vigour in okra

Abstract

The response of two okra cultivars (Chinese Red (var. Red velvet) and Chinese Green (var. Blondy)) were investigated against four level of salinity i.e., 0.00%, 0.06%, 0.12%, and 0.18% (control, slight, moderate and severe) that were made with equal proportional of NaCl and CaCl2. Salt stress significantly reduced the germination percentage, germination energy percentage and germination speed. Chinese Red showed tolerance at moderate level of 35% reduction in germination rate but Chinese Green exhibited slight stress with 25% reduction in germination percentage. Speed of germination decreased in both the cultivars that delayed seeds germination. Seedling growth, fresh weight and dry weight were also reduced due to increasing salt stress. Plumule length, radical length, fresh weight and dry weight of Chinese Green were 4.9cm, 1.50cm, 0.31g and 0.092g at slight stress, that were higher than Chinese Red, but in moderate stress Chinese Red have better growth than Chinese Green. It was concluded that Chinese Red under these environment stress tolerant to moderate stress and Chinese Green tolerant to slight stress. This study results can be helpful to utilize saline water resources to get maximum production.