Evaluation of okra genotypes under varied salt stress conditions

Abstract A pot experiment was conducted at the Central Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, from September to December 2021, to assess the effects of varying salt stress levels on the growth and yield of three okra genotypes: Super Shomy (V1), BARI Dherosh-2 (V2), and Green Finger (V3). Four salinity treatments were applied: T0 (control), T1 (100 mM), T2 (70 mM), and T3 (40 mM), with exposure starting 30 days after planting. The results revealed significant variations in growth and yield among treatments and genotypes. The highest plant height (68.59 cm), leaf number (8.92), leaf length (9.98 cm), leaf width (12.90 cm), leaf area (128.66 cm²), and branches (2.13) were recorded in the control (T0) with Super Shomy (V1). Conversely, the lowest values for these parameters were observed in T1 with BARI Dherosh-2 (V2), with plant height reduced to 42.64 cm, leaf area to 61.84 cm², and other parameters similarly diminished. Under high salt stress (T1), V1 (Super Shomy) exhibited superior performance compared to V2 and V3, maintaining plant height (50.40 cm), leaf number (7.47), leaf area (91 cm²), and branch number (1.93). Across all salinity levels, V1 also showed early flowering (29.83 DAS), early fruiting (34.88 DAS), lower plant mortality (8.31%), higher fruit numbers (5.72), greater individual fruit weight (12.68 g), and maximum yield per plant (72.47 g). The study demonstrated that increasing salinity negatively impacts growth and yield, with the most severe effects observed at 100 mM (T1). Among the genotypes, Super Shomy (V1) displayed the highest salt tolerance, making it a promising candidate for cultivation in saline environments.