Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Shubham Priyadarshi, Priya Kumari, Deepak Kumar, Devashish Kumar, Aditya Shree, Bal Manohar, RB Verma, Prabhat Ranjan and Amrendra Kumar

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of PGRs spray on quality seed yield at different growth stages in bitter gourd during Kharif 2020 at Horticulture research farm of Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur. Three concentrations each of NAA @ 50, 75 and 100 ppm, GA₃ @ 25, 50 and 75 ppm and Ethephon @ 150, 200 and 250 ppm along with control (P0) were applied at three different stages viz. S1 (two leaf stage), S2 (two leaf + four leaf stages) and S3 (two leaf + four leaf stages + bud initiation stage). Amongst different plant growth regulators, foliar application of Ethephon @ 250 ppm at stage S3 recorded the maximum average fruit weight (140.08 g) and number of fruits/ vine (10.41). Highest gross return (Rs. 683400 /ha), net return (Rs 565362 /ha) and B: C ratio (4.79) were obtained when the plants were sprayed with Ethephon @ 250 ppm at stage S3 followed by stage S2. Hence, it may be concluded that foliar application of Ethephon @ 250 ppm sprayed three times at two leaf stage, four leaf stage and bud initiation stage would be beneficial for higher yield as well as net return with higher B: C ratio.