Sodium Azide Priming Enhances Waterlogging Stress Tolerance in Okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> L.)

Waterlogging stress adversely affects crop growth and yield worldwide. Effect of sodium azide priming on waterlogging stress tolerance of okra plants was investigated. The study was conducted as a field experiment using two weeks old plants grown from 0%, 0.02%, and 0.05% sodium azide (NaN₃)-treated seeds. The waterlogging conditions applied were categorized into control, one week, and two weeks. Different growth and reproductive parameters were investigated. Activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes, root anatomy, and soil chemical analysis were also studied. Results showed that sodium azide priming inhibited germination. The germination percentages recorded were 92.50, 85.00, and 65.00 for 0%, 0.02%, and 0.05% NaN₃-treated seeds, respectively, nine days after planting. Waterlogging conditions depressed plant height ten weeks after planting. Under waterlogging conditions, NaN₃ promoted plant height and number of leaves formed. NaN₃ also supported the survival of plants and formation of adventitious roots under waterlogging conditions. Waterlogging conditions negatively affected the redox potential, organic C, N, and P concentrations in the soil but enhanced Soil pH, Fe, Mn, Zn, and SO₄. Under waterlogging conditions, NaN₃ increased the average number of flower buds, flowers, and fruits produced in comparison to control. Moreover, NaN₃ highly stimulated the development of aerenchyma which in turn enhanced the survival of okra plants under waterlogging conditions. NaN₃ priming also enhanced the activities and gene expression level of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, APX; catalase, CAT) under waterlogging conditions. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that NaN₃ priming could improve waterlogging stress tolerance in okra.