GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT The physiological state at which okra fruits are harvested for seed production and the infestation of seed sucking bugs are the two major factors militating against quality seed production. This study was conducted to elucidate the best time to harvest okra fruits for quality seed production in relation to the seed bug, Dysdercus superstitiosus causing damage to the seeds. Seeds of okra variety NH47-4 were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising four blocks which represented four replications and four plots in each block representing the harvesting regimes (viz 28, 35, 42, and 63 days after flowering (DAF)) as the treatments. Flowers were tagged daily on each plant and fruits that developed were harvested at each of the treatments. Weekly assessment of Dysdercus superstitiosus was done by direct count through random sampling with replacement method. After fruit harvesting and sun-drying, seed viability and damage were assessed. Seeds from fruits harvested at 28, 35 and 42 days after flowering (DAF) gave significant percentage germination being 42.50, 71.25 and 47.50%, respectively. Harvesting at 35 DAF had significantly the highest seed germination being 71.25 percent. Increasing population of Dysdercus superstitiosus as evidenced on fruits harvested at 63 DAF which was 18.75 significantly (p<0.05) increased percent seed damage by 86.20 and reduced seed germination to 15.00 percent. Keywords: Okra, Harvesting, Dysdercus superstitiosus, Population, Seed quality