Pre-treatment of Abelmoschus esculentus Seeds with Salicylic Acid and Indole Acetic Acid Enhances Nutritional Values of the Fruits

Aims: This study investigated the effects of phytohormones using indole acetic acid (IAA) and salicylic acid (SA) on some biochemical parameters on LD 88 and 47-4 genotypes of okra.

Study Design: The study was carried out in a screen house condition with 104 pots for each genotype (4 treatments x 5 levels x 3 replicates) in a complete randomized design using phytohormones to evaluate their effect on the nutritional values of okra fruits.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria for a period of 60 days.

Methodology: Okra seeds were pretreated with IAA (0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mM ) and SA (10-2 , 10-4 and 10-6 Mm), and distilled water. The treated (experimental) and untreated (control) seeds were germinated and grown to maturity in polythene bags containing 10 kg of clay soil.

Results: Treatment with IAA and SA did not affect proximate composition of okra fruit. Calcium levels were higher in 0.6 mM IAA 47-4 (1.03±0.01) and 10-4 mM SA (1.83±0.04), but in LD 8810-4 mM SA (1.07 ± 0.03) when compared to control group respectively. Whereas, higher zinc level was observed in 47-4 10-6 mM SA (3.93±0.84) and higher phosphorous level in 47-4 10-2 mM SA (1.78± 0.06). Sodium and potassium levels were higher in 0.6 mM IAA (47-4) as 3.15±0.01 and 1.83±0.02 when compared to the control group. Higher level of magnesium was observed in 10-2 mM SA (47-4) as 1.78 ±0.06 and in 10-4 mM SA (LD 88) as 1.62±0.04 as compared to control group. Higher levels of total phenol phytate, oxalate, saponin and tannin were recorded in both phytohormone-treated genotypes than those in the control. The results indicated that IAA and SA phytohormones improved mineral, anti-nutritional, and phytochemical constituents, of okra fruits in contrast with proximate composition.