Response of a Moroccan Abelmoschus esculentus L. ecotype originated from Tafilalet to salt stress at seed germination and plantlet stages

Ever since the early history of research on crop tolerance or susceptibility to salinity, all the phenological phases of species classified as glycophyts have been recognized as highly affected. However, as the response of crops to salinity changes interspecifically, it may also change intraspecifically according to cultivars and several other factors. This study deals with okra, more precisely with evaluating the response of an ecotype originating from the Moroccan southeast to salinity. To this end, okra seeds and seedlings were subjected to five increasing concentrations of NaCl (0 mM, 51 mM, 102 mM, 154 mM and 205 mM) over a period of 16 days during which, parameters related to seeds germination and to the vegetative phase were tracked. Our findings confirmed Okra susceptibility to salinity at both phases. This susceptibility depended on the strictness of the applied saline regime since no significant differences were marked between the control and the 51 mM treated batch. Above this concentration, plants revealed significant declines in photosynthesis-related parameters as chlorophyll contents decreased in the 250 mM batch by 22% and stomatal conductance by 70%. This ecotype also activated catalase and strongly accumulated soluble sugars by approximately 80% compared to the check batch.