Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS, PINCHING AND ARTIFICIAL POLLINATION ON FLOWERING, SEX EXPRESSION AND YIELD OF BOTTLE GOURD [LAGENERIA SICERARIA (MOL.) STANDL.] CV. ANAND BOTTLE GOURD-1

P.R. Nanaware1, N.B. Patel and S.N. Saravaiya

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to develop an optimum concentration of plant growth regulators, pinching and artificial pollination for summer sown bottle gourd. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications and consisted of ten treatments; namely pinching at 60 DAS, non pinching, artificial pollination at 5 to 6 p. m. and two concentrations each of ethrel (100 and 150 ppm), NAA (100 and 150), CCC (100 and 150 ppm) and control (water spray). Looking to the research results, it was noticed that CCC 150 ppm recorded lower node number for male flower, minimum number of male flower per vine and days for appearance of first male flower. However, Ethrel 150 ppm recorded lower node number for first female flower appearance, minimum days for female flower and maximum number of female flower per vine and recorded lowest male : female sex ratio as compared to control. The maximum fruit yield recorded under Ethrel 150 ppm and minimum fruit yield were recorded in water spray (control). From the results of the investigation, it could be inferred that Ethrel 150 ppm proved to be the best treatment in sex expression, fruit characters and fruit yield of bottle gourd cv. “Anand Bottle Gourd-1” under south Gujarat conditions.