Studies on the effect of growth regulators on sex expressions and sex ratio in Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of four growth regulators in Momordica charantia with special reference to sex expression and sex ratio. The four growth regulators tried were TIBA (300, 400, 500 and 600 ppm), NAA (200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm) and 2, 4-D (4, 6, 8 and 10 ppm). The treatment was given one week after germination . The experiment was conducted as pot culture in randomised block design with four replications and eighteen treatments. Observations on the height of the main stem and of the plant including branches, number of nodes and branches in the main stem, fresh weight of plants, leaf deformities, number of male and female flowers and fruits , weight of the fruits and number of seeds per fruit were recorded and the data collected were statistically analysed. The sex ratio was determined by comparing the number of male and female flowers produced in various traetments. The percentage of fruit set was also studied. The time of flowering and the variation in the size of the male flower were also noticed in the course of the study.