International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 312-322 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 317 3.4 Effect on germination rate index (GRI) and mean germination time (MGT) The germination rate and mean germination time varied with different treatments significantly (p<0.005). The maximum germination rate was observed in T6 (botanical priming -Neem extract) 7.72 seeds/day and the minimum rate was observed in T8 (hydro-unsoaked) 2.75 seeds/day. While mean germination time was found highest for the T8 i.e. 2.76 days and lowest for the T6 i.e. 1.34 days. A highly significant (p≤0.01) negative correlation (r = -0.90) was found between GRI and MGT representing a trend of increase in Mean Germination Time (MGT) with a decrease in Germination Rate (GRI) (Figure 4). Figure 4 Effect of different priming treatments on GRI and MGT of okra seedlings Note: GRI and MGT stand for Germination Rate Index and Mean Germination Time respectively. NaCl- Sodium Chloride; KNO3Potassium Nitrate; GA3- Gibberellic Acid; SOP- Sulphate of Potash; ppm- Parts per million 3.5 Effect on germination energy and speed of germination The statistical analysis of Figure 5 showed non-significant differences in treatments at p ≤ 0.05 levels but however results showed that seed priming treatments with neem extract were found effective in enhancing the germination energy compared to hydropriming (unsoaked). Correlation between GE and SoG was found positive (r=0.55) which is significant at (p ≤ 0.01). The seeds primed with neem extract showed high germination energy (0.9) and speed of germination (4.056 seeds/day). Similarly, the lowest germination energy (0.7) and speed of germination (1.750 seeds/days) were recorded in hydro (unsoaked priming) (Figure 5; Figure 6). Figure 5 Effect of different priming treatments on germination energy of okra seedlings Note: GE- Germination energy; NaCl- Sodium chloride; KNO3- Potassium nitrate; GA3- Gibberellic acid; SOP- Sulphate of potash; ppm- Parts per million
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