Assessment of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) cultivars for seed qualities and isolation of associated pathogen

Abstract

Assessment of the qualities of Okra cultivars and associated pathogens where investigated. Eiu okra cultivars NG-0-1, NG-O-2, NG-O-3, NG-O-4 and NG-0-5 were collected from five selected farme based on characterization and cultivation of the crop, soil types and topography, Niger State Agricultural and Development Programme divided the state into three agricultural zones namely Zone 1, II and Zone II Seed germination test, seed weight, size and seedling emergence were conducted in accordance to the method of International Rules for Seed Testing Association. Seed borne pathogens were isolated using agar plate methods. Results showed four fungal species associated were Mucor pusillus, Aspergillus umigatus, A. niger, Microsporum canis, Penicillium species. Bacterial species isolated included Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, B. linchinoferus, B. megaterium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. NG-0-2 collected from ZoneI recorded the highest germination rate (90%) while NG-O-1 and NG-0-3 from Zone II with the least germination rate (60%). Seed weight showed similar trend, with Zone I recording 5.85 gand NG-0-3 collected from Zone II had (0.47 mm) size which was the highest among the cultivars at (P> 0.05) Seedling emergence test showed that cultivars from Zone II had 86% while that from Zone I was 73% Assessing okra cultivars and associated pathogens of the crop are important tool for improved for yield improvement in okra and will be useful in organic farming systems.