Seven okra cultivars viz., Arka Anamika, Arka Abhay, Pusa Makhmali, Varsha, IIHR-1685, DHR-83 and BO-1 were studied for their morpho-physiological response to moisture stress during the reproductive stage in pot experiments. Moisture stress was imposed by withholding irrigation for 10 days at the reproductive stage. In the irrigated plants, the relative water content (RWC) varied from 72-82%, while in the stressed plants, it decreased to 66-75%. The highest RWC was recorded in cv. BO-1 during the stress. A reduction of 25-70% in leaf area was observed in the stressed plants of different genotypes. The highest reduction in photosynthesis was noted in cv. Pusa Makhamali followed by cv. IIHR-1685 and cv. Arka Anamika. Genotype BO-1 maintained a higher level of photosynthesis (11.5 µmol m-2 s-1) followed by Varsha (9.7 µmol m-2 s-1) and Arka Abhay (8.8 µmol m-2 s-1) after 10 days of water stress. Though there was a significant recovery in the photosynthetic rate in the stressed plants after the release stress, the growth of the plants was affected considerably in these plants and thus resulted in a significant decrease in yield. The highest reduction in crop yield was recorded in cv. IIHR-1685, whereas the lowest decrease in yield of 8 and 13% was recorded in BO-1 and Varsha, respectively.

crop yield, cultivars, genotypes, irrigation, okras,photosynthesis, plant water relations, varietal reactions, water stress,water use efficiency, Abelmoschus esculentus, Abelmoschus, Malvaceae,Malvales, dicotyledons, angiosperms, Spermatophyta, plants,Horticultural Crops (FF003) (New March 2000), Plant Breeding andGenetics (FF020), Plant Water Relations (FF062)

• Journal Article

• Crop Water Use
• Drought
• Irrigation Management