Effect of different growth regulators on tree growth and leaf area of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) CV. new castle

Abstract

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is one of the most important stone fruit crop of temperate regions of India especially of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. An study on “Effect of Different Growth Regulators on Tree Growth and Leaf Area of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cv. New Castle” was carried out in the experimental orchard of the Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan (H.P.). The prime objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of forchlorfenuron (CPPU), Prohexadione-calcium and Brassinolide on tree growth and quality of apricot cv. New Castle. From the results it was conferred that treatment with CPPU at 10 ppm caused higher increase in annual shoot growth (112.9 cm), trunk girth (7.8 %) and tree volume (33.7 %), whereas treatment with CPPU at 5 ppm gave higher leaf area (56.9 cm2), however, Pro-Ca applied at 100 and 200 ppm significantly decreased these vegetative growth attributes as compare to control.