GROWTH, SEX EXPRESSION AND FRUIT SETTING OF BITTER GOURD AS INFLUENCED BY PGRs

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators for flowering, fruit setting and yield of bitter gourd during February to June 2016 at Shere-Bangla

Agricultural University, Dhaka. The experiment was consisted of two factors. Factor A: Four levels of plant growth regulators: PGR PGR 2 - NAA and PGR 3 ii 0 - control, PGR - MH and Factor B: Three levels of application stages: S -seed soaking, S 2 - 4-leaf stage and S - flower budding stage, respectively. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Plant growth regulators and various application stages showed significant variations with most of the parameters. In case of plant growth regulators, the highest number of branch plant -1 3

-1

-1

and the lowest from PGR 0 3 . For various application stages, the highest number of branch plant

-1

2 and the lowest from S . For combined effect the highest number of branch plant -1 1

-1

-1

3 S and the lowest from PGR 0 S 1 2 . So the use of maleic hydrazide @ 100 ppm at 4-leaf stage would be the best option in growth, sex expression and yield of bitter gourd.