MATERIALS AND METHODS
4.3 Yield contributing parameters
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4.3.1 Number of flowers plant-1
Significant variation was recorded on number of flowers plant-1 of okra at different growth stages due to different seed priming treatments (Table 4 and Appendix VI). The highest number of flowers plant-1 (27.51) was recorded from P2 (Osmopriming; MgSO4 - 3 ppm) whereas the lowest number of flowers plant-1 (24.82) was recorded from control treatment P0 No priming (with water).
The result on number of flowers plant-1 obtained from the present study was similar with the findings of Pushpalatha (2008).
Different rate of vermicompost application showed significant difference among the treatments regarding number of flowers plant-1 of okra at different growth stages (Table 6 and Appendix VI). The highest number of flowers plant-
1 (30.76) was recorded from the treatment V3 (10 t ha-1 vermicompost) which was statistically different from others whereas the lowest number of flowers plant-1 (20.56) was recorded from the treatment V0 (control; no vermicompost).Similar result was also observed by Bairwa et al. (2009).
Combined effect of seed priming and vermicompost exhibited significant variation on number of flowers plant-1 of okra at different growth stages among the treatment combinations (Table 6 and Appendix VI). Results indicated that the highest number of flowers plant-1 (32.62) was achieved from the treatment combination of P2V3which was statistically identical with P1V3 whereas the lowest number of flowers plant-1 (19.42) was recorded from the treatment combination of P0V0.
4.3.2 Number of fruits plant-1
Significant variation was recorded on number of fruits plant-1 of okra at different growth stages due to different seed priming treatments (Table 6 and Appendix VI). The highest number of fruits plant-1 (20.37) was recorded from P2 (Osmopriming; MgSO4 - 3 ppm) and the lowest number of fruits plant-1 (18.86) was recorded from control treatment P0 No priming (with water). It is
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well known that seed priming is a technique that improves seed performance in the field and hence ameliorates subsequent germination, growth and seed yield.
Moreover, seed priming is often implicated in improving the stress-tolerance of germinating seeds. So, it can be stated that higher yield contributing parameters can be achieved with this technique. Pushpalatha (2008) also found similar result which supported the present study.
Different rate of vermicompost application showed significant difference among the treatments regarding number of fruits plant-1 of okra at different growth stages (Table 6 and Appendix VI).The highest number of fruits plant-1 (22.81) was recorded from the treatment V3 (10 t ha-1 vermicompost) which was statistically identical with V2 (7.5 t ha-1 vermicompost) whereas the lowest number of fruits plant-1 (14.79) was recorded from the treatment V0 (control; no vermicompost). The result obtained from the present study was conformity with the findings of Ansari and Kumar (2010), Bairwa et al. (2009) and Ullah et al.
(2008) which supported the present study.
Combined effect of seed priming and vermicompost exhibited significant variation on number of fruits plant-1 of okra at different growth stages among the treatment combinations (Table 6 and Appendix VI). The highest number of fruits plant-1 (23.72) was achieved from the treatment combination of P2V3which was statistically similar with P2V2. The lowest number of fruits plant-
1 (14.24) was recorded from the treatment combination of P0V0.
4.3.3 Fruit length (cm)
Significant variation was recorded on fruit length of okra at different growth stages due to different seed priming treatments (Table 6 and Appendix VI). The highest fruit length (16.44 cm) was recorded from P2 (Osmopriming; MgSO4 - 3 ppm) which was statistically identical with P1 (Halopriming; CaCl2 - 1 ppm).
The lowest fruit length (15.18 cm) was recorded from control treatment P0 No priming (with water).
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Different rate of vermicompost application showed significant difference among the treatments regarding fruit length of okra at different growth stages (Table 6 and Appendix VI). The highest fruit length (18.04 cm) was recorded from the treatment V3 (10 t ha-1 vermicompost) whereas the lowest fruit length (12.77 cm) was recorded from the treatment V0 (control; no vermicompost).
Ullah et al. (2008) also found supported result with the present study.
Combined effect of seed priming and vermicompost exhibited significant variation on fruit length of okra at different growth stages among the treatment combinations (Table 6 and Appendix VI).The highest fruit length (18.80 cm) was achieved from the treatment combination of P2V3which was statistically identical with P1V3. The lowest fruit length (12.56 cm) was recorded from the treatment combination of P0V0.
4.3.4 Fruit diameter (cm)
Significant variation was recorded on fruit diameter of okra at different growth stages due to different seed priming treatments (Table 6 and Appendix VI). The highest fruit diameter (1.81 cm) was recorded from P2 (Osmopriming; MgSO4 - 3 ppm) which was statistically identical with P1 (Halopriming; CaCl2 - 1 ppm).
The lowest fruit diameter (1.62 cm) was recorded from control treatment P0 No priming (with water).
Different rate of vermicompost application showed significant difference among the treatments regarding fruit diameter of okra at different growth stages (Table 6 and Appendix VI).The highest fruit diameter (2.02 cm) was recorded from the treatment V3 (10 t ha-1 vermicompost) which was statistically identical with V2 (7.5 t ha-1 vermicompost). The lowest fruit diameter (1.44 cm) was recorded from the treatment V0 (control; no vermicompost). Supported result was also observed by Ullah et al. (2008).
Combined effect of seed priming and vermicompost exhibited significant variation on fruit diameter of okra at different growth stages among the treatment combinations (Table 6 and Appendix VI). The highest fruit diameter
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(2.16 cm) was achieved from the treatment combination of P2V3which was statistically similar with P2V2. The lowest fruit diameter (1.42 cm) was recorded from the treatment combination of P0V0.