Effect of exogenous application of plant growth regulators on vine growth, yield and quality attributes in kiwifruit cv. Hayward

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out on 11-year-old vines of kiwifruit cv. Hayward trained on a T bar trellis system for two years. Four different plant growth regulators viz., GA3 (25 & 50 mg l-1), BA (10 & 20 mg l-1), 2,4-D (10 & 25 mg l-1), TRIA (10 & 20 mg l-1) and a natural extract (4 g ml-1) were sprayed four weeks after full bloom. All the growth regulators proved effective in improving vine growth, yield and physico-chemical characteristics of fruits as compared to control. Maximum shoot growth (157.27 & 153.49 cm) was observed with the application of 50 mg l-1 GA3. Maximum leaf area (190.25 & 188.34 cm2) was obtained with 25 mg l-1 of GA3. The highest fruit retention (86.19 & 81.06%) and yield per vine (57.98 & 54.82 kg) was recorded with 10 mg l-1 2,4-D. Advancement in harvest maturity was noted with 10 mg l-1 TRIA. Among all the treatments, application of 25 mg l-1 GA3 followed by 10 mg l-1 2,4-D proved to be more effective in improving fruit physical characteristics viz., fruit weight, fruit length & fruit diameter; and chemical characteristics viz., total soluble solids and total sugars.