Seed soaking effects on the emergence and early growth of Pea (Pisum sativum) and Okra ((Abelmoschus esculentus)

Abstract

A petri dish experiment and pot experiment were conducted to investigate the effect of seed soaking on the germination of Pea and Okra and the early growth of Okra. There were four soaking times, 0h, 5h, 10h, and 24h. The results showed positive effects of seed soaking on the emergence and growth of the two crops. Results showed that the germination percentage did not correlate linearly with the increase in Pea seed soaking time, while in Okra, the germination percentage increased with the increase in soaking time. Both crops had the highest germination percentage at 24h soaking time which was 96% for Pea, and 76% for Okra. Pea seeds soaked for 24h had the longest radicle followed by the control treatment (0h). For Okra, there was a steady increase in the radicle and plumule length along with the increase in soaking period. For Okra, the height of the plant in the fourth week in the treatment of soaking for 24 hours was about twice the height of the plant in the same week in the treatment of the control. These results could be used in improving the growth of the crops.

Keywords

• seeds
• soaking
• crops
• leaf number
• plant height