Influence Of Seed Pelleting Technique On Seed Germination In Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.) Bungoma, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, demand for okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) vegegtable is greater than the supply and it is necessary to improve productivity and quality   of   the   crop. Laboratory experiments and survey study  were conducted at Mabanga Agricultural Training  Institute  in  Bungoma   County from September 2019 to January 2020 to determine the influence of seed pelleting with leaves of selected trees on seed attributes   and   identifying   the   best   leaf pelleting treatment to produce high quality seeds. The experiment consisted treatments of leaves from: Albizzia amara (T1), Cassia auriculata (T2), Peltophorum ferrugineum (T3), Annona squamosa (T4), Pongamia pinnata (T5) and Azadirachta indica (T6) compared to untreated seed (T0). Pelleting treatment affected results. Seed treated with T4 had improved germination (91.67 and 95.70%), shoot length (6.50 and 8.35 cm), root length (5.00 and 9.55 cm) and vigor index (1054 and 1713.0) in okra plant. Leaf powders of Annona squamosa (T4) can be commercially utilized for enhancing the seed quality of okra vegetable