Abstract:To understand the response mechanism of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) under drought stress, PEG-6000 solution was used to simulate drought stress, the seed germination and physiological traits of seedlings in ‘Qianzhi’ and ‘Red okra’ varieties were studied. The results showed that the water absorption, germination energy, germination rate, germination index, vigor index, simple vigor index of seeds, and hypocotyl length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of seedlings in two varieties decreased with the concentration of PEG-6000 solution increased, while the drought-injury rate of okra increased. The seeds of two varieties failed to germinate with 20% PEG-6000. The activities of SOD, POD and CAT, and the contents of proline (Pro), soluble protein, soluble sugar and malonaldehyde (MDA) of okra seedlings increased with the concentration of PEG-6000 solution increased, and they reached up to maximum under 15% PEG-6000. So, it was suggested that under drought stress, seed germination of A. esculentus was inhibited, the contents of cell inclusion enhanced, and the antioxidant system was stimulated.