ABSTRACT

Effect of plant extract P.nigrum, O. basilicum and A. indica pretreatment on seed germination, seeding growth of Abelmoschus esculentus was examined in the laboratory of Plant Science and Biotechnology in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. Seed germination and seedling growth were assessed according to ISTA. Germination and seedling growth rate was carried out on 85mm diameter Petri dish lined with moistened whattman filter paper, with three replication for each treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Okra seeds of clamson spineless varieties were pre – treated with different concentration of plant extract at 2.5%, 5%, and 10%. A control (water) with no seed pre – treatment solution was also included. Ten seeds of okra were randomly dipped into treatment solution at five minutes after which was withdrawn and planted into Petri dish containing whattman filter paper that is already moisted and result were taken. The okra seed reacted differently to different concentration of the  different plants extract (A. indica, P.nigrum and O. basilicum). Okra seed soaked with Piper nigrum were not significantly different at (P> 0.05) for seed germinated and seedling growth. But Azadirchta indica (neem) and O. basilicum (scent leaf) showed reduced seedling growth and seed germination. This study explained the fact that pre – treatment of seeds before storage or planting with Piper nigrum (uziza) extract increase seedling growth and seed germination of okra, and can also control pest and diseases which helps ascertain high seed vigor. The fore use of Piper nigrum (uziza) extract should be adopted by poor resource farmers in pre – treatment of okra seeds.      

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Declaration ii

Certification iii

Dedication             iv

Acknowledgement             v

Table of Content                        vi

List of Tables             ix

List of Plates             x

Abstract                        xi

CHAPTER ONE 

1.0 Introduction                1

1.1 Justification    3

1. 2 Aims and Objective of the Study    3

CHAPTER TWO 

2.0 Literature Review   4

2.1 Host Plant   4

2.1.1 Classification of Okra   5

2.1.2 Growth and Development of Okra   5

2.1.3 Cultivation   Practices in Production of Okra   6

2.2 Economic Importance of Okra   7

2.3            Constraint to Production   9

2.4 Use of Botanicals 10

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods 12

3.1 Location 12

3.2 Collection of Test Plant 12

3.2.1 Preparation of Plant Extract 12

3.3 Seed Collection and Identification 13

3.4 Experimental Design 13

3.5 Application of Extracts on Seed 13

3.6  Recording of Growth Parameters 14

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Result  15

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion 20

5.2 Conclusion   21

References 

Appendix