A field experiment was carried out at Agro techno park, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, College of Agriculture, Gwalior (M.P.) during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 under the agro-climatic conditions of Gwalior region. A total of 25 treatments were evaluated in a randomized block design in three replications. The objective of this work was to study about the effect of exogenous application of NAA, 2,4-D, urea and boron on fruit set, retention and yield. Keeping this view in mind, the present study set out to select the best treatment combinations of PGR’S and micro nutrients for increased fruit set and yield of acid lime. Variations in fruit set, retention and yield were recorded in two years among the treatments under the study. The fruit set percentage was highest in the treatment T19-Urea 2% + 2,4D 15ppm + NAA 20ppm + Boron 0.5% (64.76 %) which was significantly superior to all the treatments under study followed by the treatment T18 - Urea 2% + 2,4-D 15ppm + NAA10 ppm + Boron 1% (63.69%). Lowest fruit set percentage was recorded in Control. When compared to soil drenching foliar application is the most effective method of application of plant growth regulators and micronutrients.

Acid lime, 2,4-D, NAA, fruit set, yield, plant growth regulators and micronutrients

The result clearly indicates that the treatment combination T19-Urea 2% + 2,4-D 15ppm + NAA 20ppm + Boron 0.5% was found to be significantly superior to all the treatments under study and resulted in increased number of flowers per shoot at 30 days (68.33), 60 days (93.50) and 90 days (133.83) after flowering, number of fruits per shoot at 30 days (76.83), 60 days (72.00), 90 days (64.17) and 120 days (55.83) after fruit set, number of fruits per tree (956.50), average fruit weight (g) at harvest (32.92), yield per tree (kg) (31.49) and yield per hectare(q.) (349.90) compared to control. Hence this treatment combination will be very useful in minimizing the loss in yield and quality characters thereby helping farmers gain more returns on their crop.

Shrikunwar, Karan Vir Singh, Khusboo Namdev and Rajesh Lekhi (2023). Effect of Foliar Application of Plant Growth Regulators and Nutrients on Fruit Set and Quality of Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(12): 440-444.