Studies on Effect of Seed Treatment with Micronutrients and Plant Growth Regulator on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Background: To assess the effect of micronutrient and plant growth regulators in cucumber crop, the experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) having three replications at Department of Horticulture (Vegetable & Floriculture), Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur during summer season of 2021. Methods: The seed material comprised of single seed lot of cucumber var. Pusa Barkha, which was treated with ZnSO4 (50, 75ppm) and FeSO4 (100, 125 ppm) and foliar spray of Ethrel (100, 200, 300 ppm), at 2-4 true leaf stage. Vegetative,reproductive parameters were recorded. Results: The seed treatment with Zn (75 ppm) for 12 hour followed by foliar spray of Ethrel(200ppm) at 2-4 leaf stage resulted in highest improvement in almost all parameters except days to 50% flowering which was lowest for seed treatment with Zn(50ppm). The treatment with Zn (75ppm) for 12 hour along with foliar spray of Ethrel (200ppm) at 2-4 leaf stage was found the most promising and effective for improving the crop performance. Conclusion: It was concluded that each and every seed treatment with micronutrient followed by foliar application of plant growth regulator given variable response of treatments.