Effect of foliar application of plant growth regulators on fruit yield and economics of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of year 2024-25 at the Instructional farm Khudmudi, College of Horticulture and Research Station, Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture & Forestry, Durg (C.G.), to evaluate the “Effect of foliar application of plant growth regulators on fruit yield and economics of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)”. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. The experiment included three levels of plant growth regulators viz., GA₃ (50, 100 and 150 ppm), NAA (100, 150 and 200 ppm) and Ethrel (150, 200 and 250 ppm) along with a control treatment (T₀) involving only water spray. The study revealed that the application of specific concentrations of these plant growth regulators significantly influenced the yield and economics parameters of Okra. Among the various treatments, foliar application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) at 100 ppm found to be most effective. It resulting in the maximum number of fruits per plant (16.6), longest fruit length (11.95), maximum fruit diameter (1.59 cm), maximum fruit weight (13.57 g), highest fruit yield per plant (225.33 g), fruit yield per plot (2.7 kg) and total yield (125.06 q/ha). This treatment also achieved the highest economic return, demonstrating maximum net profit (Rs. 1, 86, 484.00) and an advantageous benefit-cost (B:C) ratio (2.93). These results indicate that use of plant growth regulators particularly, GA3 at an optimal concentration of 100 ppm can play a crucial role in increasing both the production and economic viability of Okra cultivation.