Effect of plant growth regulators on growth and fruit yield of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangular L. Roxb)

The present investigation was carried out during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at the Centre of Excellence on Protected Cultivation and Precision Farming Unit, College of Agriculture, IGKV, Raipur (C.G). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised GA₃ (25 ppm and 50 ppm), Ethrel (150 ppm and 200 ppm), Paclobutrazol (150 ppm) and their combinations, along with a control. Results revealed that the application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) significantly influenced the growth and yield of ridge gourd. GA₃ at 50 ppm recorded the highest vine length (320.69 cm), number of leaves (92.54) and leaf area index (0.027), indicating its role in enhancing vegetative growth. In contrast, Ethrel and Paclobutrazol, either alone or in combination, promoted early flowering, increased the number of female flowers and improved fruit set. The earliest appearance of male (24.97 days) and female (31.26 days) flowers and the lowest node of first female flower (6.33) were observed with Ethrel 200 ppm + Paclobutrazol 150 ppm treatment. Significantly maximum fruit yield of 409.67 q/ha were also recorded under Ethrel 200 ppm + Paclobutrazol 150 ppm. It is concluded that the combined foliar application of Ethrel 200 ppm + Paclobutrazol 150 ppm proved to be the most effective treatment for achieving optimum plant growth and higher yield per hectare in ridge gourd under the agro-climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh.