Seeds of okra present impermeability of seed coat and high percentage of hard
seeds. In order to identify a preparation procedure to allow an uniform embryo staining during
tetrazolium test, five treatments were used: (A) between paper soaking during 18 hours and
immersion in tetrazolium solution for 24 hours; (B) direct immersion in tetrazolium solution for
24 hours; (C) immersion in water for 24 hours, removal of seed coat and immersion in tetrazolium
solution for 3.5 hours; (D) immersion in alcohol 96o for 30 minutes, rinsing with water, direct
immersion in tetrazolium solution for 24 hours; (E) immersion in alcohol 96o for 30 minutes,
rinsing with water, immersion in water for 24 hours, removal of seed coat and immersion in
tetrazolium solution for 3.5 hours. Soaking and reaction temperature used was 30oC. Tetrazolium
solution used had a concentration of 0.75%. In treatments without alcohol immersion (A, B and
C), 70% of the seeds did not absorb water or tetrazolium solution. It was not possible to remove
seed coat of hard seeds without injury the embryo. In treatments with immersion in alcohol (D and
E), 95% of seeds absorbed water (E) or tetrazolium solution (D). Treatment D, due to the presence
of seed coat, stained disuniformly and weakly and did not allow evaluation. Treatment E stained
the embryo, allowing the viability evaluation of seeds. Thus, it is recommended to immerse okra
seeds in alcohol for 30 minutes, to rinse with water, to immerse in water at 30oC for 24 hours and
to remove seed coat. After preparation procedures, to immerse seeds in tetrazolilum solution
(0.75%) at 30oC, for 3.5 hours.