Effect of growth regulators and stages of spray on seed yield and seed quality parameters of ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb) L.]

Abstract

The experiment was undertaken to study the influence of different growth regulators on seed yield and seed quality parameters in ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb) L.]. There were 30 treatment combinations comprising of two factors; plant growth stage as main plot treatment, and plant growth regulators as sub plot treatment embedded in a split plot design. The results indicated that significantly the highest average fruit weight (32.76 g), matured fruit yield per plant (65.84 g), 100 seed weight (13.41 g) and seed yield per plant (12.79 g) was recorded with spraying of 500 ppm ethereal, whereas significantly the maximum fruit length (20.89 cm) and fruit diameter (5.15 cm) with 25 ppm GA3. Significantly the highest seed germination (69.22 %) was recorded with spraying of 250 ppm ethereal, while application of NAA at 50 ppm recorded significantly the highest vigour index I (2737.85) and vigour index II (5029.33). Spraying of PGR at two to four leaf stage recorded the higher fruit length (20.19 cm), fruit yield per plant (47.49 g), 100 seed weight (13.18 g) and seed yield per plant (11.98 g) as well as highest germination (60.90%), vigour index I (2460.80) and vigour index II (4377.66). It is concluded that spraying of 500 ppm etherel at two to four leaf stage increased the higher fruit length, fruit yield per plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield per plant as well as highest germination, vigour index I and vigour index II.