SEED PRIMIG AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS AFFECT THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF OKRA UNDER CALCAREOUS SOILS

Afield study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different plant growth regulators (PGRs) applied through seed priming and foliar spray on growth and yield of three okra cultivars grown under calcareous soils. The cultivars of Punjab Selection and Sabzpari produced significantly higher number of branches and leaves per plant, pod length and diameter and pod yield as compared to cv. Green feny, while, cv. Punjab selection produced significantly greater number of flowers and pods per plant as compared to other two cultivars. Seed germination (%), plant height, and fruit set (%) were not affected by the cultivars. Among the PGR treatments, seed primed with GA(3) resulted in significantly higher germination percentage and greater plant height at flowering. Seed priming and foliar spray with NAA and GA(3) were effective in increasing the final plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of flowers and number of pods per plant and fruit set (%), fresh weight per pod and pod yield. However, pod diameter, pod moisture content and dry weight per pod were not influenced by the PGR treatments applied. These results suggested that the PGRs have great potential to improve seed germination, enhance growth and increase yield of okra cultivars under calcareous soils.