Chemical Hybridizing Agents and their Role in Modulating Flowering Time of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica)

Author: Vibhootee Garg, Akhilesh Tiwari, S.K. Pandey, Simran Choudhary and Vedant Gautam

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Abstract

This study investigates the influence of various CHAs (Chemical Hybridizing Agents) on the flowering time of sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) over two growing seasons (2022-2023 and 2023-2024). A total of 13 treatments, including Maleic Hydrazide, Gibberellic Acid (GA3), 1-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), 2,3,5-Triiodo Benzoic acid, Ethrel and Sulphonyl Urea, were applied at different growth stages to assess their effects on the days to first male and female flower appearance. Results indicated that the control group consistently exhibited the earliest male flower emergence, averaging 50.43 days across both years. Among treatments, NAA and GA3 effectively promoted earlier flowering, with averages of 56.23 days and 56.45 days, respectively. Conversely, Sulphonyl Urea resulted in delayed male flowering, averaging 63.60 days when applied at both cotyledon and true leaf stages. For female flowers, Sulphonyl Urea also yielded the earliest average emergence at 56.50 days, while the control group showed the latest at 77.43 days. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences among treatments, with a critical difference (C.D.) of 3.05 days for male flowers and 3.98 days for female flowers at a significance level of 5%. These findings underscore the potential of specific Chemical hybridizing agents in managing flowering times effectively, providing valuable insights for enhancing sponge gourd production in agricultural practices.

Keywords

Flowering phenology, foliar treatments, Sulphonyl Urea, NAA and GA3

Conclusion

The results of this study provide significant insights into the effects of various treatments on the phenological parameters of sponge gourd, particularly regarding the days to first male and female flower appearance. The control group consistently exhibited the earliest emergence of male flowers across both years, averaging 50.43 days, while treatments such as 1-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and Gibberellic Acid (GA3) demonstrated their potential to promote flowering, with averages of 56.23 days and 56.45 days, respectively. Conversely, Sulphonyl Urea consistently resulted in delayed male flowering times, highlighting its less favorable impact on flowering initiation. For female flower appearance, Sulphonyl Urea again emerged as the most effective treatment when applied at the cotyledon stage, achieving an average of 56.50 days in the pooled analysis. This contrasts sharply with the control group, which had an average of 77.43 days, underscoring the role of specific Chemical hybridizing agents in managing flowering times effectively. The critical differences observed in flowering times among treatments were statistically significant, indicating that careful selection of growth regulators can enhance crop productivity. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of utilizing specific Chemical hybridizing agents to optimize flowering times in sponge gourd cultivation. This research lays a solid foundation for further studies aimed at refining agricultural practices to improve yield and efficiency in sponge gourd production, ultimately contributing to better management strategies in horticultural practices.

References

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How to cite this article

Vibhootee Garg, Akhilesh Tiwari, S.K. Pandey, Simran Choudhary and Vedant Gautam (2024). Chemical Hybridizing Agents and their Role in Modulating Flowering Time of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(12): 70-77.