Differential Biotic and Abiotic Induced Stress Levels Confer Varying Morphological Responses in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Cultivars

Background and Objective: Extreme and prolonged water deficit together with the evolving nature of plant viruses has a negative impact on plant growth. This study was thus conducted to evaluate the morphological responses of okra cultivars subjected to drought and virus stress treatments. Materials and Methods: Three watering treatment blocks were set up in a split block design and plants under each block were arranged further in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Means of plant growth measurements and yield parameters were compared using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics using Minitab (version 17.0) statistical software and means of treatments were compared by Tukey mean comparison at a 5% probability level. Results: The lowest reduced plant height of 19.60±0.84 cm corresponded to Indiana plants grown under a combination of severe drought and virus treatment. The least number of leaves were reported in Indiana plants grown under a combination of severe drought and virus treatment (1.66±0.57). The highest and least stem diameter were recorded in Essoumtem control plants (9.10±0.17 mm) and Indiana plants grown under a combination of severe drought and virus treatment (2.96±0.15 mm), respectively (p = 0.00, F = 74.53). Conclusion: Results concluded that virus infection and drought stressed plants may result in impaired growth in okra cultivars used in this study.