Effect of plant growth regulators on vegetative growth, flowering and yield of bitter gourd cv. Priya

Abstract

In a field experiment three concentrations each of GA3, NAA, Ethrel, MH and CCC were applied at the 2-leaf and 4-leaf stages on bitter gourd (Momordica charantia Linn.) cv. Priya during the late kharif season of 2003-2004. It was observed that GA3 at 200 ppm registered the maximum vine length. Whereas, MH at 400 ppm proved to be the best treatment in inducing the first pistillate flower earlier and at a lower node number, delaying the appearance of the first staminate flower to a higher node number, suppressing the number of staminate flowers and lowering the male:female sex ratio. Its application was found to be the most effective in enhancing the number of branches per vine, number of pistillate flowers, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per vine and ultimately produced the highest fruit yield.