Review on role of plant growth regulators in vegetable crops

Abstract

Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) are organic compounds, natural or synthetic, that profoundly influence plant physiological processes even at low concentrations. Their commercial use has become indispensable in vegetable production to enhance growth, yield, quality, and shelf life. PGRs effectively address key physiological limitations such as poor fruit set, delayed flowering, dormancy, and uneven ripening. This review discusses the commercial applications of PGRs in major vegetable crops, covering their role in fruit set, dormancy, flowering, sex expression, parthenocarpy, ripening, and hybrid seed production. Crop-wise details of effective PGRs, concentrations, and economic significance are presented, emphasizing their practical value in modern horticultural management.