EFFECT OF PRE-SOWING TREATMENTS ON SEED GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS) IN KAFANCHAN

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of various pre-sowing treatments on seed germination and growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Conducted during the rainy season of 2024 at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kaduna State University, Kafanchan campus, the study consisted of four treatments: Control (T1), soaking in water for 24 hours (T2), scarification with sandpaper (T3), and soaking in water for 24 hours followed by scarification with sandpaper (T4). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results indicated significant differences in germination rates among treatments, with T4 achieving the highest rate of 88.00%, while T1 recorded the lowest at 68.33%. Seedling emergence was fastest for T2, averaging 7.33 days compared to 11.00 days for the control. However, no significant differences were observed in plant height, number of leaves per plant, or leaf area at any measurement point (p>0.05). At nine weeks after sowing, T4 exhibited the greatest plant height at 45.53 cm and the largest leaf area at 120.03 cm². Findings indicated that while pre-sowing treatments significantly influenced germination and seedling emergence, their effects on growth parameters such as plant height and leaf production were less pronounced. These findings underscore the importance of effective pre-sowing practices to enhance seed performance and establish robust okra crops. The study recommended that farmers should utilize soaking followed by scarification to improve germination rates, regularly monitor growth metrics to assess treatment effects over time.