Effect of irrigation levels and plant growth regulators on growth and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under poly house

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner during Rabi, 2017-18 with treatment comprised of 4 irrigation levels viz., 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 ETc in main plot and three plant growth regulators viz., water spray, NAA (100 ppm) and GA3 (50 ppm) in sub plot. The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice. The results revealed significant variation in all growth and quality attributes under different drip irrigation and plant growth regulators. The maximum number of branches per vine at 60 DAS (4.72) and harvest (11.39), length of vine at 60 DAS (323.36 cm) and harvest (344.00 cm) and number of leaves per vine at 60 DAS (50.64) were recorded with 1.0 ETc. Results also indicated that quality parameter like chlorophyll content at 60 DAS (1.561 mg g-1) was found maximum with the treatment 1.0 ETc, whereas, drip irrigation levels did not influence TSS and moisture content in fruit. Among various plant growth regulators, highest number of branches per vine at 60 DAS (4.88) and harvest (12.08), length of vine at 60 DAS (330.19 cm) and harvest (348.45 cm), number of leaves per vine at 60 DAS (53.22) and chlorophyll content in leaves at 60 DAS (1.576 mg g-1) were recorded under GA3 (50 ppm) and moisture content and TSS were observed non significant under plant growth regulators.