Effect of plant growth regulator on growth, morphological characters and yield of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) cv. Arka Vikram under Chhattisgarh plains

Abstract

The present study entitled “Effect of plant growth regulator on growth, morphological characters and yield of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) cv. Arka Vikram under Chhattisgarh plains’’ was conducted during Zaid season 2024-25 at Research Cum Instructional Farm, Mohgaon, Saja, Bemetara (C.G.) under at College of Horticulture and Research Station Saja, Bemetara (C.G.). The field experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications and nine treatments consisting a control with one plant growth regulators i.e. GA3 @ 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 ppm, as foliar application at 2 to 4 leaf stage. The interpretations were recorded on various vegetative growth, yield parameter and economic. GA3 350 ppm performed well vegetative character like maximum length of plant (356.67 cm), length of internode (12.22 cm) number of branches (12.36), minimum days to first male flower (32.45 days) and minimum days to first female flower (34.93 days) also found better in GA3 350 ppm treated plant. In case of GA3 350 ppm performed well in flowering parameter like minimum node of first male flower (5.20), node of first female flower (7.20) and 50% flowering in a net plot and gross plot area (46.20 days). Plant growth regulator GA3 250 ppmgave significantly better performance at yield parameter like maximum number of fruits per plant (32.44), number of fruit per vine (9.21), first harvesting (39.87 days), fruit length (36.16 cm), fruit diameter (9.20 cm), average fruit weight (138.33 gm), fruit yield per plot (12.35) and fruit yield per ha (164.67 q). Also increased benefit cost ratio (2.08) was recorded in GA3 250 ppm.