Comparative effects of putrescine and citrus peel-derived ascorbic acid on growth, yield and antioxidant enzyme activities in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under field conditions

Abstract:

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) production is often limited by suboptimal growth and stress-induced oxidative damage and salinity. This field experiment evaluated the comparative effects of foliar application of putrescine and naturally extracted ascorbic acid from citrus peels on vegetative growth, yield components, nutrient accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT) of okra cv. Mahi 45 under field conditions. The experiment included three concentrations of putrescine (50, 100, and 150 mg/L) and ascorbic acid extracted from lemon and orange peels at similar concentrations, in addition to a control treatment sprayed with water only. A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used to assess treatments. The results demonstrated that foliar application of putrescine at 150 mg mg/L significantly improved plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem diameter, and accelerated flowering and fruiting. Yield components, including the number of fruits per plant, fruit length, and fruit weight, were also significantly enhanced. Moreover, this treatment recorded the highest leaf contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and protein percentage as well as activities of enzymatic antioxidants, including Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD) and Catalase (CAT). Notably, the citrus peel-derived ascorbic acid markedly increased all the measured traits. These findings highlight the potential of eco-friendly natural compounds (putrescine 150 mg mg/L) in improving okra performance and stress resilience under field conditions.

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