Okra, or lady’s finger, is an important vegetable crop worldwide. Due to the polyploidy nature of okra, wide variability exists across the diverse Indian agro-climatic zones. Besides being a short-duration vegetable crop, okra has a broader range of other utilities such as sugarcane juice extraction, coffee substitute, perfume manufacturing, and health-promoting compounds. Okra seed production is a remunerative option for farmers of all strata, especially smallholding farmers. Hybrid seeds dominate the okra seed sale because of the advantages of heterosis, uniformity, etc. Though genetic male sterility (GMS) is available in okra, commercial hand emasculation, and pollination are preferred for seed production. Several studies suggest that the planting ratio of 8:1 (female: male) is ideal for higher seed and economic returns. The node position and fruit retention have considerable influence on seed yield and quality. Sharma et al., recommended the retention of fruits borne on 1–3 nodes for seed purposes and harvesting of remaining fruits for vegetable purposes as a superior combination for higher seed quality and higher economic returns, whereas Jakhar and Malik recommended retention of only middle nodes (6–10 nodes) for higher seed quality. Plant nutrition and growth regulators play an important role in enhancing the seed yield and quality. Integrated nutrient management with neem cake 6 q ha−1 + vermicompost 10 q ha−1 + Azotobacter + PSB + 60% recommended dose of NPK through inorganic fertilizers showed the highest number of fruits (18.36), fruit yield (182.50 g plant−1 and 135.18 q ha−1), fruit weight (17.65 g), fruit length (12.26 cm), and fruit thickness (1.898 cm), as reported by Bairwa et al., Kumar et al., showed that the highest green fruit yield (1007.33 kg ha−1) and seed yield (18.84 q ha−1) were obtained with the combination of GA3-100 ppm + borax-1.0% under field cultivation. Hard seededness is a major seed quality issue in okra, resulting in slow and nonuniform germination. Treatments like hot water at 75°C for 5 min, whereas Musara et al., suggest 80% H2SO4 for 3 min, or dry heating for 5 min at 70 °C, or soaking for 12 h at 30 °C as an effective seed dormancy-breaking treatment. Apart from these interventions, the problems of pests and diseases are major challenges in okra seed production, particularly the Okra Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV), Okra Enation Leaf Curl Virus (OELCV), whitefly, powdery mildew, thrips, and red spider mites, which need to be addressed under the climate change scenario for bountiful seed harvest.

Optimization of Seed Yield and Quality in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

章节
发表日期：

2025年

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B. S. Tomar,
V. R. Yalmalle,
Paresh Chaukhande

摘要

Okra, or lady’s finger, is an important vegetable crop worldwide. Due to the polyploidy nature of okra, wide variability exists across the diverse Indian agro-climatic zones. Besides being a short-duration vegetable crop, okra has a broader range of other utilities such as sugarcane juice extraction, coffee substitute, perfume manufacturing, and health-promoting compounds. Okra seed production is a remunerative option for farmers of all strata, especially smallholding farmers. Hybrid seeds dominate the okra seed sale because of the advantages of heterosis, uniformity, etc. Though genetic male sterility (GMS) is available in okra, commercial hand emasculation, and pollination are preferred for seed production. Several studies suggest that the planting ratio of 8:1 (female: male) is ideal for higher seed and economic returns. The node position and fruit retention have considerable influence on seed yield and quality. Sharma et al., recommended the retention of fruits borne on 1–3 nodes for seed purposes and harvesting of remaining fruits for vegetable purposes as a superior combination for higher seed quality and higher economic returns, whereas Jakhar and Malik recommended retention of only middle nodes (6–10 nodes) for higher seed quality. Plant nutrition and growth regulators play an important role in enhancing the seed yield and quality. Integrated nutrient management with neem cake 6 q ha−1 + vermicompost 10 q ha−1 + Azotobacter + PSB + 60% recommended dose of NPK through inorganic fertilizers showed the highest number of fruits (18.36), fruit yield (182.50 g plant−1 and 135.18 q ha−1), fruit weight (17.65 g), fruit length (12.26 cm), and fruit thickness (1.898 cm), as reported by Bairwa et al., Kumar et al., showed that the highest green fruit yield (1007.33 kg ha−1) and seed yield (18.84 q ha−1) were obtained with the combination of GA3-100 ppm + borax-1.0% under field cultivation. Hard seededness is a major seed quality issue in okra, resulting in slow and nonuniform germination. Treatments like hot water at 75°C for 5 min, whereas Musara et al., suggest 80% H2SO4 for 3 min, or dry heating for 5 min at 70 °C, or soaking for 12 h at 30 °C as an effective seed dormancy-breaking treatment. Apart from these interventions, the problems of pests and diseases are major challenges in okra seed production, particularly the Okra Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV), Okra Enation Leaf Curl Virus (OELCV), whitefly, powdery mildew, thrips, and red spider mites, which need to be addressed under the climate change scenario for bountiful seed harvest.