2. Effect of gibberellic acid and potassium silicate on physiological growth of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under salinity stress

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to improve salt tolerance abilities in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) by foliar application of potassium silicate and seed priming with GA₃. A pot experiment was conducted at Awan Nursery Farm, Haripur, to investigate whether seed priming with GA₃ and foliar application of potassium silicate could ameliorate the toxic effects of salinity on okra growth. Two okra cultivars Sabz Pari and Mehak Pari were exposed to two levels of NaCl (control and 50mM) according to the saturation percentage of soil. Seeds of okra were primed with three levels of GA₃ (50mg/L, 75mg/L and 100mg/L) before sowing. After 18 days of germination okra plants were treated with three levels of potassium silicate (2mmol, 3mmol and 4mmol) exogenously as foliar spray to protect the plants against salt stress. Data for different growth parameters such as root length, shoot length, plant height, root and shoot fresh weight, root and shoot dry weight were collected. Okra cultivar Sabz Pari showed maximum resistance towards salinity as compared to Mehak Pari.  Applications of GA₃ decreased the harmful effects of salinity and enhanced the overall growth of okra whereas silicon failed to impart any significant difference on okra.

Keywords: Gibberellic Acid; Growth; Okra; Potassium silicate; Salinity

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.70002