Effect of GA3 and NAA with pruning levels on growth, sex expression and yield attributes of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. Malini F1) under protected condition

Abstract

Evidence had accumulated from a number of experiments indicating that plant growth regulators levels may modify the sex expression of flowering plants. The effect of foliar application of GA3 (25 ppm and 50 ppm), NAA (500 ppm and 1000 ppm) and pruning (no pruning and double stem pruning) on growth, flowering, yield and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus hyb. Malini F1) were studied at Precision Farming Development Center (PFDC), Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK, Bangalore during (2017-18) under protected condition. The plant growth regulators were applied on 4 true leaf stages. The results of the study revealed that, combined application of GA3 and NAA (50 ppm + 500 ppm) with double stem pruning had more significant effects on vegetative growth, increased the flowering, suppressed the staminate flowers and enhanced the pistillate flowers, so that the fruit yield was more higher per plant and per hectare than control and other treatment combinations.