Abstract

Water stress effects induced by stopping watering at vegetative (S1) and flowering (S2) stages were studied on five varieties of okra [Abelmoschus esculantus Moench (L.)]. Parameters such as relative water content, membrane permeability, chlorophyll content and yield of capsules varieties were evaluated. Our results show that water deficiency reduces relative water content of okra leaves. This reduction is more pronounced when water lack occurs at flowering stage of plants and, leakage of electrolytes across cell membranes is increasing. In addition, soil water deficit increased total chlorophyll content of leaves, which is much higher in stressed plants at vegetative stage. At the vegetative stage as to flowering, water deficit also reduces yield of capsules of varieties UAE 1, UAE 40 and UAE 45. This reduction is much important when plants were stressed at flowering.

Key words: Okra, water deficit, physiology, performance.