International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 312-322 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 313 with early germination and consistent field stand, which results in reduced, delayed, and unpredictable emergence (Purquerio et al., 2010). Below 20 ºC, it does not germinate (Naheed et al., 2013). Poor seed germination at suboptimal temperatures is a typical occurrence and a major source of concern for growers. The stiff seed coat obstructs seed germination by preventing water absorption and uniform embryonic growth and development (Mereddy et al., 2000). According to MoALD, (2022), okra occupies about 9,584 hectares, producing 110,565 metric tonnes annually with an average yield of 11.5 ton\ha. However, low seed germination and poor seedling vigor often limit productivity. Seed priming is a solution for okra's hard seed coat (Lamichhane et al., 2021). Seed priming is a pre-sowing seed treatment in which seed is permitted to imbibe enough water to start pre germinative metabolic processes but insufficient for radicle protrusion because with radicle protrusion seed loses its desiccation tolerance (Rahman, 2016). A seed priming is the technique of carefully hydrating seeds in order to potentially encourage quicker and more consistent seed germination and plant growth (Sharma et al., 2014). Seed priming improves seed germination performance by starting early processes of germination but not cell division (Yuan et al., 2010). Priming enables some of the metabolic processes to occur necessarily for germination before actual germination to get start (Bradford, 1990; Yari et al., 2010). Priming stimulates the production or activation of some enzymes that catalyze the mobilization of storage reserves in seed, while endosperm weakens by hydrolase activities (Shah et al., 2011). Additionally, priming boosts the synthesis of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, which aid in shielding the cell from lipid peroxidation-induced membrane damage. Similarly, in primed seed, the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) increases (Gallardo et al., 2001). Seed priming improves seed performance through quick, uniform germination, normal, and vigorous seedlings. This has significant agronomic ramifications, particularly under unfavorable germination circumstances (Cantliffe, 2003). Seed priming caused early flowering, enhanced growth rate, and increased plant height. It also promoted synchronized germination, increased seed vigor, and growth of seedlings under adverse condition (Basra et al., 2003; Bajehbaj, 2010). Several kinds of seed priming techniques have been employed to improve the germination and vigor of okra (Lamichhane et al., 2021). These include hydro-priming, where seeds undergo soaking in pure water and subsequent re-drying to their original moisture content before planting. Osmo-priming involves soaking seeds in an osmotic solution like KNO3 while hormonal priming requires seeds to be soaked in plant growth regulators like GA3 and NAA. Halo-priming employs salt solutions for soaking seeds. Nutri-priming encompasses the soaking of seeds in nutrient solutions, providing essential elements for enhanced germination and early seedling development. On the other hand, biological priming involves soaking seeds in biological substances such as cow urine, leveraging the beneficial properties of these compounds to promote seed vigor and overall plant growth. Botanical priming refers to a seed treatment method where seeds are subjected to extracts or compounds derived from plants (Lutts et al., 2016). The problem of low germination due to the hard seed coat in okra can be overcome by seed priming. The experiment sought to investigate how different priming treatments could influence the germination of okra seeds. 2 Materials and Methods 2.1 Research site and duration of research An experiment was carried out in the Agronomy lab (latitude: 26°54'6.84" to 27°08'46.90" and longitude: 85°47'42.67" to 85°56'42.97") at College of Natural Resources Management, Bardibas from 6 to 12 October 2023. It is located 90 m above sea level. 2.2 Weather condition The annual high and low temperatures were 32.52 °C & 22.32 °C respectively with average annual precipitation 139.49 mm (Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, 2023). It’s exhibiting four distinct seasons: a mild Spring (March-May), a Rainy season (June-August), Autumn (September-November), and a cool Winter
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==