Impact of Silicic Acid on the Biochemical Properties of Okra Varieties

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of silicic acid on the biochemical characteristics of various okra varieties, including GAO 5, Pusa Sawani, AOL 1022 and Arka Anamika, during the Kharif season at Anand Agricultural University. The experiment was conducted using a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Silicic acid was applied as a foliar treatment at different intervals (15, 30 and 45 days after germination) to examine its impact on moisture content, total phenols, mucilage, antioxidant activities, chlorophyll, carotenoids and flavonoids. Methods: Demonstrated that the GAO 5 variety consistently outperformed others in all measured biochemical traits. The early-stage application of silicic acid (T2) significantly enhanced moisture content, total phenols and antioxidant activities. Specifically, GAO 5 exhibited the highest moisture content (92.13%), phenol content (0.79%) and antioxidant activity (0.88%). Additionally, silicic acid application improved chlorophyll levels, with GAO 5 showing the highest content (1.98 mg/g) and flavonoid accumulation, particularly in the early vegetative stage. Result: The study also noted that the interaction between varieties and treatments was significant for most traits, indicating variability in the response to silicic acid. The findings suggest that silicic acid, especially when applied early, can significantly enhance the nutritional quality and antioxidant properties of okra. This highlights the potential of silicic acid as a valuable foliar treatment to improve okra’s biochemical composition, contributing to increased agricultural productivity and better crop quality.