Effect of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Growth and Yield of Tomato

International Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (3): 58-63, 29 ISSN 279-27 IDOSI Publications, 29 Effect of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Growth and Yield of Tomato 2 3 J. Uddain, K.M. Akhter Hossain, M.G. Mostafa and M.J. Rahman Department of Horticulture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2 Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Bangladesh 3 Department of Agricultural Extension, Integrated Soybean Cultivation Project, Khamar Bari, Dhaka Abstract: An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of different plant growth regulators on tomato at Horticulture Farm in Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-27, Bangladesh, during September 8, 28 to January 9, 29. Four different plant growth regulators (Denoted as PGR) were used as treatments, viz. PGR = Control (No application of plant growth regulator), PGR = NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) @ 3 ppm, PGR 2 = GA 3 (Gibberellic Acid) @ 3 ppm and PGR 3 = 2, 4-D (2, 4- Dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid) @ 3 ppm in the study. The growth and yield contributing characters were significantly differed due to different plant growth regulators on tomato. The maximum plant height at 5 DAT (33.4 cm), 3 DAT (59.7 cm) and 45 DAT (76.36 cm), number of leaves plantg at 5 DAT (5.8), 3 DAT (47.2) and 45 DAT (72.86), number of branches plantg at 5 DAT (8.6), 3 DAT (2.3) and 45 DAT (7.85), number of flowers clusterg (5.8), number of flower cluster plantg (8.83), number of flowers plantg (59.62), number of fruits clusterg (4.8), number of fruits plantg (42.66), average weight of individual fruit (92.6 g), yield plantg (2.49 kg) and yield hectareg (93.23 t/ha) were found in PGR 2 and the minimum for all the parameters were found in control (PGR ) treatment. Key words:naphthalene acetic acid % Gibberellic Acid % 2 % 4- Dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid % Growth % Yield and tomato INTRODUCTION gibberelic acid (GA 3) plays role on controlling fruit setting, pre-harvest fruit drop, increasing fruit yield and Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) belonging to extending self-life [4, 5]. Fruit set in tomato was Solanaceae and its origin is the Andean zone particularly successfully improved by application of NAA and IAA Peru-Ecuador-Bolivian areas [] but cultivated tomato [6, 7]. In fact the use of growth regulators had improved originated in Mexico. Tomato is one of the most highly the production of tomato including other vegetables in praised vegetables consumed widely and it is a major respect of better growth and quality, which ultimately led source of vitamins and minerals. It is one of the most to generate interest between the scientists and farmers for popular salad vegetables and is taken with great relish. commercial application of growth regulators. So the It is widely employed in cannery and made into soups, present investigation was undertaken to find out the conserves, pickles, ketchup, sauces, juices etc. Tomato effect of different plant growth regulators on growth and juice has become an exceedingly popular appetizer and yield of tomato. beverage. The well ripe tomato (per g of edible portion) contains water (94.%), energy (23 calories), MATERIALS AND METHODS calcium (. g), magnesium (7. mg), vitamin A ( IU), ascorbic acid (22 mg), thiamin (.9 mg), riboflavin The experiment was carried out at Horticultural Farm (.3 mg) and niacin (.8 mg) [2]. Plant growth substances in Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-27, are essential for growth and development of tomato plant. Bangladesh during rabi season (September 8, 28 to It plays an important role in flowering, fruit setting, January 9, 29.). The area had sub tropical climate ripening and physiochemical changes during storage of characterized by high temperature (28-32 C) accompanied tomato. Application of IAA as foliar sprays or to the by moderately high rainfall during Kharif (Aprilgrowing media of tomato plants had a stimulatory effect September) season and low temperature (5-2 C) in on plant growth and development [3]. On the other hand the rabi (October-March) season. The soil belongs to Corresponding Author: J. Uddain, Department of Horticulture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh 58

Intl. J. Sustain. Agric., (3): 58-63, 29 the Modhupur Tract, AEZ-28, (FAO, 988). Roma VF Number of leaves PlantG : Number of leaves plantg of variety of tomato was used in the experiment. Four tomato varied significantly at 5, 3 and 45 DAT due to different plant growth regulators (Denoted as PGR) were application of plant growth regulators (Fig. 2). The used as treatments, viz. PGR = Control (No application of maximum number of leaves plantg at 5 DAT (5.8), plant growth regulator), PGR = NAA (Naphthalene acetic 3 DAT (47.2) and 45 DAT (72.86) was recorded from acid) @ 3 ppm, PGR 2 = GA 3 (Gibberellic Acid) @ 3 ppm PGR 2 treatment (application of GA 3 @ 3 ppm), while and PGR 3 = 2, 4-D (2, 4- Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) @ the minimum number of leaves plantg was recorded 3 ppm in the study. The experiment was laid out in a from PGR treatment (No PGR application) at 5 DAT Randomized Complete Block Design with six replications. (.3), 3 DAT (32.86) and 45 DAT (59.28). It was Thirty days old and a height of cm seedlings revealed that number of leaves plantg of tomato were collected from Horticulture farm, Sher-e-Bangla increased with the application of plant growth regulators Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh and in tomato especially GA 3 at 5, 3 and 45 DAT. This might transplanted at the spacing of 6cm 4cm in the be due to that plant growth regulators enhanced cell experimental plot on October 2, 28. Manures and division with considerable stem elongation. Gabal et al. chemical fertilizers were applied at the rate of cow dung [2] found same trend of result in tomato. 2 t/ha, Urea 25 kg/ha, Triple Super phosphate (TSP) 2 kg/ha and Muriate of Phosphate (MoP) 5 kg/ha as Number of branches PlantG : Number of branches per recommendation. The size of the experimental plots plantg of tomato varied significantly at 5, 3 and 45 was 4. m.8 m. Data were collected from ten randomly DAT due to application of plant growth regulators selected plants for each plot; viz., plant height (cm), leaf (Fig. 3). The maximum number of branches plantg at 5 length and number of branch plant- at different DAT (8.6), 3 DAT (2.3) and 45 DAT (7.85) was harvesting times, days to first flowering, flower cluster recorded from PGR 2 treatment (application of GA 3 @ 3 plantg, number of fruit clusterg, number of fruit plantg, ppm), while the minimum number of branches per plant average fruit weight (g), yield plantg and yield hag. The was recorded from control treatment (No PGR application) means were separated by Duncan's Multiple Range Test at 5 DAT (3.32), 3 DAT (6.82) and 45 DAT (.52). It (DMRT) at 5% level of significance [8]. was revealed that number of branches plantg of tomato increased with the application of plant growth regulators RESULTS AND DISCUSSION in tomato especially GA 3 at 5, 3 and 45 DAT. Similar trend of result was reported by other scientist like Singh Plant Height (cm): Plant height of tomato varied and Singh [3]. significantly at 5, 3 and 45 DAT due to application of plant growth regulators (Fig. ). The maximum plant height Days to First Flowering: Plant growth regulators at 5 DAT (33.4 cm), 3 DAT (59.7 cm) and 45 DAT showed statistically significant variation on days to (76.36 cm) was recorded from PGR 2 treatment (application first flowering from the date of transplanting of tomato of GA 3 @ 3 ppm), while the minimum plant height at (Table ). The maximum days (34.92) required to first 5 DAT (2.83 cm), 3 DAT (49.29 cm) and 45 DAT flowering in PGR treatment (No application of plant (63.9 cm) was recorded from control treatment (No PGR growth regulator) which was statistically similar to application) at 5 DAT (2.83 cm), 3 DAT (49.29 cm) and that of PGR treatment (application of NAA), while the 45 DAT (63.9 cm). It was revealed that plant height of minimum days (3.73) required to first flowering in tomato increased with the application of plant growth PGR2 treatment (application of GA 3) which was regulators. This might be due to that the plant growth statistically similar to that of PGR 3 treatment (application regulators enhanced cell division with considerable stem of 2,4-D). It was found that GA 3 showed a positive effect elongation and the ultimate result was the longest plant of among different plant growth regulators. This might be tomato. Shittu and Adeleke [9] and Wu et al. [] reported due to that GA 3 induced flower initiation in tomato. Singh the same trend of the results on tomato. But Chhonkar and Singh [3] reported that the initiation time of first and Ghufran [] reported that plant height decreased flowering and first fruiting was significantly and highly with the increased concentration of NAA concentration increased by application of NAA which did not agree with which was not similar to that of the present study. the present result. 59

Intl. J. Sustain. Agric., (3): 58-63, 29 9 8 7 GR GR GR2 GR3 Plant height (cm) 6 5 4 3 2 5 DAT 3 DAT 45 DAT Days after transplanting (DAT) Fig. : Effect of plant growth regulators on plant height at different DAT in tomato 8 7 GR GR GR2 GR3 Number of leaves per plant 6 5 4 3 2 5 DAT 3 DAT 45 DAT Days after transplanting (DAT) Fig. 2: Effect of plant growth regulators on number of leaves plant - in tomato at different DAT Number of branches per plant 2 8 GR GR GR2 GR3 6 4 2 8 6 4 2 5 DAT 3 DAT 45 DAT Days after transplanting (DAT) Fig. 3: Effect of plant growth regulators on number of branches plant - in tomato at different days after transplanting 6

Intl. J. Sustain. Agric., (3): 58-63, 29 Table : Effect of plant growth regulators on yield contributing characters in tomato st Treatment(s) Days to flowering Number of flowers Number of flower Number of flowers Number of fruits Number of fruits Average weight of from transplanting per cluster cluster per plant per plant per cluster per plant individual fruit (g) PGR 34.92 a 4.5 d 6.3 c 4.55 d 3.66 d 2.45 d 82.37 c PGR 33.94 a 5.9 c 7.78 b 46.72 c 4.9 c 3.75 c 85. bc PGR2 3.73 b 5.8 a 8.83 a 59.62 a 4.8 a 42.66 a 92.6 a PGR3 33.3 ab 5.52 b 8.8 b 52.86 b 4.52 b 36.9 b 87.57 b LSD(.5).728.247.545 2.35.25 2.576 3.2 CV (%) 6.2 5.66 8.48 5.5 7. 9.3 4.3 In a column means having similar letter (s) are statistically similar and those having dissimilar letter (s) differ significantly at 5% level of probability PGR : Control (No application of plant growth regulators; PGR : NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid); PGR : GA (Gibberellic Acid); PGR : 2,4-D (2,4-2 3 3 Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) Number of Flowers per Cluster: Number of flowers clusterg in tomato plant showed statistically significant variation due to the application of plant growth regulators (Table ). The maximum number of flowers clusterg (5.8) was recorded from PGR 2 treatment (application of GA 3), while the minimum number of flowers clusterg (4.5) was recorded from PGR treatment (no application of plant growth regulator). It was revealed that GA 3 gave the higher number of flowers clusterg. This caused that GA 3 promoted flower primodia production. Similar trend of the result was found by Onofeghara [4] and Leonard et al. [5]. Number of Flower Cluster per Plant: There had remarkable variation in number of flower cluster plantg in tomato due to application of different plant growth regulators (Table ). The maximum number of flower cluster plantg (8.83) was recorded from PGR 2 treatment (application of GA 3) while the minimum number of flower cluster plantg (6.3) was recorded from PGR treatment (no application of plant growth regulators). The result revealed that GA 3 increased the number of flower cluster plantg. Flower primodia was promoted by GA 3 carrying number of flower cluster plantg. The result of the present study divulged with the result of Onofeghara [4]. Number of Flowers per Plant: Number of flowers plantg of tomato showed statistically significant variation among different plant growth regulators (Table ). The maximum number of flowers plantg (59.62) was recorded from PGR2 treatment (application of GA 3), while the minimum number of flowers plantg (4.55) was recorded from PGR treatment (no application of plant growth regulators). Superior result in respect of number of flower plantg was found in GA 3 application. This might be caused that GA3 promoted flower primodia production in tomato plant. This result disagreed with the result of Onofeghara [4] and Saleh and Abdul [6]. This might be due to the application of different concentration of GA 3. Number of Fruits per Cluster: Number of fruits clusterg of tomato plant performed statistically significant variations due to application of plant growth regulators (Table ). The maximum number of fruits clusterg (4.8) was recorded from PGR 2 (application of GA 3) which was closely followed by PGR 3 (application of 2, 4-D), while the minimum number of fruits clusterg (3.66) was recorded from PGR (no application of plant growth regulators). Gibberelic acid (GA 3) played role on controlling fruit setting. Similar trend of result was divulged by Adlakha and Verma [7]. Number of Fruits per Plant: Statistically significant variation found in the number of fruits plantg of tomato due to application of plant growth regulators (Table ). The maximum number of fruits plantg (42.66) was recorded from PGR 2 treatment (application of GA 3), while the minimum number of fruits plantg (2.45) was recorded from PGR treatment (no application of plant growth regulators). It was found that GA 3 produced higher number of fruits plantg over other plant growth regulators. It might be due to that Gibberelic acid (GA 3 ) enhanced fruit setting in tomato. Adlakha and Verma [7], Hossain [8] and Mehta and Mathi [5] supported this finding. But Jenson [9] also mentioned that increasing concentration of GA 3 reduced the number of fruits plantg which disagreed with the present study. Average Individual Fruit Weight (g): Average individual fruit weight of tomato revealed statistically significant variation due to application of plant growth regulators (Table ). The maximum average weight of individual fruit (92.6 g) was recorded from PGR treatment (application of 2 GA ), while the minimum average weight of individual 3 fruit (82.37 g) was recorded from PGR treatment (no application of plant growth regulators). Application of GA 3 at vegetative stage increased fruit size which increased individual fruit weight. Kaushik et al. [2] supported this argument. But Sanyal et al. [2] found that foliar application was more effective than root soaking of seedlings on tomato. 6

Intl. J. Sustain. Agric., (3): 58-63, 29 Fig. 4: Effect of plant growth regulators on yield plantg in tomato Yield per Plant: Yield plantg of tomato showed statistically significant variation due to application of plant growth regulators (Figure 4). The maximum yield plantg (2.49 kg) was recorded from PGR 2 treatment (application of GA 3), while the minimum yield plantg (2.2 kg) was recorded from PGR treatment (no application of plant growth regulators). Similar trend of the result in tomato was found by Saleh and Abdul [6]. Yield per Hectare: Statistically significant variation found due to application of plant growth regulators in respect of yield hectareg of tomato (Figure 5). The maximum yield hectareg (93.23 t/ha) was recorded from PGR 2 treatment (application of GA 3), while the minimum yield hectareg (82.7 t/ha) was recorded from PGR treatment (no application of plant growth regulators). GA 3 increased the number and weight of fruits plantg and thus increased in yield of tomato. These findings were supported by the results of Kaushik et al. [2] and Saleh and Abdul [6]. CONCLUSION Plant growth regulators had significant influence on growth and yield of tomato and GA 3 gave the highest yield all days after transplanting (DAT) than other plant growth regulators. So, GA 3 gave the best response for tomato production. The present study was conducted in an individual soil type and further regional trials should be needed for plant growth regulators recommendation of tomato cultivation. Fig. 5: Effect of plant growth regulators on the yield per hectare of tomato REFERENCES. Salunkhe, D.K., B.B. Desai and N.R. Bhat, 987. st Vegetable and flower seed production.. Edn., Agricole pub. Acad., New Delhi, India. pp: 35. 2. Mac Gillivary, J.H., 96. Vegetable Production, McGraw hill Book Company, New York. 3. Hathout, T.A., S.A. Sheteawi and S.M. Khallal, 993. I. Effect of mode of application of some growth regulators on the physiology of tomato plants. II. Effect of IAA on endogenous hormonal contents. Egyptian J. Physiol. Sci., 7(): 45-62. 4. Adlakha, P.A. and S.J. Verma, 965. Effect of gibberellic acid on fruiting and yield of tomato fruit. The Punjab Hort. J., 5(3-4): 4-5. 5. Mehta, A.K. and P.J. Mathi, 975. Effect of growth regulators on summer tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Haryana Hort. Sci., 4(3/4): 67-76. 6. Mukherji, S.K. and B.K. Roy, 966. Reducing fruit drop in West Bengal. World Crops, 8(3): 34. 7. Howlett, P.S., 94. Effect of indoleacetic acid upon tomato fruit set and development. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 39: 27-28. 8. Gomez, K.A. and A.A. Gomez, 984. Statistical procedure for Agricultural Research. 9. Sittu, G.A. and J.A. Adelekha, 999. Effect of gibberellic acid on the growth and development of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). cultivar 58-63. Global J. Pure Appl. Sci., 5(): 27-3. 62

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