Reinvigoration of Deteriorated Seeds of Two Okra varieties (Abelmoschus esculentus var. ‘’Smooth Green’ and Var. ‘Red Ruby’) Using Atmospheric Pressure Plasma-Activated Water

This study investigates the effects of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (APP)-activated distilled water (PAW) on the germination and seedling characteristics of deteriorated seeds from two Okra varieties (Abelmoschus esculentus cv. 'Smooth Green' and cv. 'Red Ruby.') Deteriorated seeds were soaked in PAW for 8 hours, followed by 8 hours of air-drying, before being germinated using the top-of-paper method. Parameters including germination percentage, seed vigor, and germination speed were evaluated after 7 days. Additionally, seedlings were grown in sterile soil, and traits such as shoot and root length, fresh and dry shoot and root weight, and seedling vigor were assessed after 2 weeks of growth. This study followed a completely randomized design (CRD), with three replications and two subsamples: 100 seeds per subsample for germination testing and 10 plants per subsample for seedling evaluation. Comparisons were made among three treatments: PAW-treated deteriorated seeds, distilled water-treated deteriorated seeds, and untreated deteriorated seeds. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test at a 95% level of significance. The results revealed that PAW-treated seeds exhibited the highest germination percentage, germination index, and faster germination compared to the other groups for both Okra varieties. Furthermore, PAW-treated seeds developed longer shoots and roots, and showed greater fresh and dry biomass compared to distilled water-treated and untreated seeds. PAW treatment improved germination percentage by 20% in 'Smooth Green' and 22% in 'Red Ruby'. These findings demonstrate that PAW priming is an effective technique for enhancing the germinability, seed vigor, and seedling performance of deteriorated Okra seeds.