Effects of harvesting methods and fruit position in plant on hard seed occurrency in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Abstract

The occurrency of hard seeds was studied in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) as a function of single fruit harvesting after plant senescence or periodical fruit harvesting in the morphological ripening stage. The cultivars "Amarelinho", "Santa Cruz-47" and "Campinas IAC 4076" were utilized, considering fruits beared on the main stem and those beread on lateral branches. The percentage of hard seeds was evaluated by the standard germination test and it was observed that single fruit harvest after plant senescence increased the occurrence of hard seeds independently of the utilized harvesting method. The possibility of taking advantage of single fruit harvesting during plant senescence is suggested, which will reduce seed production costs without interfering on seed quality.