Influence of plant growth regulators on growth, seed yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench.)

Background: The use of plant growth regulators through foliar spraying proves beneficial where roots fail to supply the required nutrients. The plant growth hormones supplementation through foliar sprays enables the direct and efficient utilization of nutrients by plants, manifesting observable effects within a short period which ultimately increases seed quality and seed yield in okra. Methods: The present study on “Effect of foliar application of plant growth regulators on growth, seed yield and quality of okra” was conducted at Department of Agril. Botany Farm, Agriculture College, Pune and laboratory studies was conducted in STRU, MPKV, Rahuri. The field trial was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) having nine treatments including control with three replications and lab experiment was conducted in completely randomised block design (CRD). The treatments comprise of different plant growth regulators such as GA3 at 100 ppm, 200 ppm, 250 ppm, NAA at 100 ppm, 200 ppm, IBA at 100 ppm, 150 ppm, Kinetin at 200 ppm including control (No spray control). Two foliar sprays of each plant growth regulator treatment were applied at 30 and 45 days after sowing. Results: The plant growth regulator GA3 at 250 ppm foliar spraying was found to be the best treatment for plant growth, seed yield and quality characters of okra variety Phule Vimukha viz., days to 50% flowering (40 days), plant height (89.83 cm), number of leaves (25.50), number of branches (3.92), moisture content (16.50 %), germination (93.33 %), seedling length (24.20 cm), root length (9.23 cm), shoot length (15.27 cm), shoot root ratio (1.80), seedling dry weight (29.26 g), seed vigour index (2258), hard seeds (2.50), dead seed (3.50), electrical conductivity (1.07 dS/m), number of fruits per plant (15.00), fruit length (19.53 cm), fruit diameter (2.00 cm), number of seeds per fruit (52.00), 100 seed weight (7.87 g), seed yield per plant (58.05 g). Conclusion: Application of plant growth regulator GA3 at 250 ppm treatment as two foliar sprayings at 30 and 45 DAS was found more promising in increasing growth, yield and quality characters of okra variety Phule Vimukha as compared to the untreated control.