Assessment of Vegetative and Flowering Behaviour of Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) as Influenced by Pruning and Bio-Regulators

Abstract

Background: Plant growth regulators (PGRs) play a vital role in modifying physiological processes to enhance vegetative growth, flower induction, and post-harvest longevity. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) promotes cell elongation and photosynthetic efficiency, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) stimulates vegetative growth and nutrient mobilization, while maleic hydrazide (MH) acts as a growth retardant, reducing plant height and increasing branching. Aims: The present study evaluates the combined influence of pruning and plant growth regulators on growth, flowering, yield and shelf life of Jasminum sambac. Study Design: Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD). Methodology: The study on Jasminum sambac was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Binjhagiri, Chatabara, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed University), Bhubaneswar, India. Two pruning levels and seven plant growth regulator treatments were evaluated with three replications. Data were collected on growth (plant height, basal stem diameter, number of primary and secondary shoots, node number, internodal length, plant spread), flowering (days to bud appearance, days to bloom, duration of flowering, number of flowers per cyme/plant, weight of 100 flowers, flower yield per plant), and post-harvest attributes (flower length, diameter, and shelf life). Growth, flowering, yield and quality parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Pruning combined with MH @ 1000 ppm significantly improved branching, flower size and yield (1163.35 g plant⁻¹; 6204.06 kg ha⁻¹). GA₃ @ 150 ppm enhanced vegetative growth and essential oil recovery. Pruning improves overall flower quality, GA₃ enhances both size and oil content, and NAA promotes vegetative vigor, suggesting that careful integration of these practices can optimize both yield and floral attributes. Conclusion: Integrated use of pruning and appropriate bio-regulators enhances productivity and quality of jasmine under Odisha conditions.