Application of Plant Growth Regulators to improve Fruit Yield and Quality in Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.)

Abstract

Application of plant growth substances on bearing trees of aonla cultivar Narendra Aonla-6 significantly increased fruit retention. The minimum fruit drop was recorded with the use of NAA (15 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%) followed by 2,4-D (10 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%) and GA3 (50 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%). The maximum increase in size, weight and volume of fruits and the maximum fruit yield were noted on trees sprayed with NAA (15 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%). The improvement in fruit quality parameters (TSS, ascorbic acid, sugars and acidity) was highest with the application of GA3 (50 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%) which showed nonsignificant difference with NAA (15 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%). Results revealed that foliar application of NAA (15 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%) or GA3 (50 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%), twice during mid-May and mid-July, may effectively overcome the problem of fruit drop leading to higher yield of quality fruits.