Effect of nitrogen application on seed yield, pod and seed characteristics of okra.

Four okra cultivars [Abelmoschus esculentus(L.) Moench] were cultivated for two growing periods at nitrogen (N) application rates of 150, 300 and 450 mg N L−1. There was no effect of N on pod size (length and diameter) or on the number of seeds per pod and seed size (mean 1000 seed weight), all these characteristics of which related to the genotype. High N application (450 mg N L−1), increased the seed yield of the cultivar with the lowest flower induction (Boyiatiou), but only in experiment 2. In Veloudo, seed yield was highest at 300 mg N L−1, whereas in Pylaias and Clemson 450 mg N L−1reduced seed yield. In all cultivars, seeds produced at an N rate of 450 mg N L−1exhibited a significantly higher percent germination N, possibly by reducing the incidence of seed hardness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]