Effect of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]

Abstract

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) is the most significant commercial crop grown in dry and semi-arid regions. Plant growth regulators are known to influence growth and development at very low concentrations, but inhibit plant growth and development at high concentrations. The Study aims to evaluate the response of cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] to foliar application of plant growth regulators (PGRs). A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2024–25 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan), India.  Ten treatments—control (T1), NAA at 50, 100 and 150 ppm (T2–T4), GA₃ at 50, 100 and 150 ppm (T5–T7), and cycocel/CCC at 750, 1500 and 2250 ppm (T8–T10)—were tested in a randomised block design with three replications using cv. Pusa Navbahar. GA₃ at 150 ppm (T7) produced the tallest plants at 30, 60 and 90 DAS (21.84, 47.32 and 82.38 cm, respectively). CCC at 750 ppm (T8) recorded the highest number of clusters per plant (13.87) and pods per cluster (4.33), and also improved yield attributes, including pods per plant (60.06) and pod length (9.53 cm). Early flowering was observed under NAA at 100 ppm (T3), with 50% flowering in 45.85 days. The maximum seed yield (62.46 g plant⁻¹, 2775.97 g plot⁻¹ and 9253.24 kg ha⁻¹), protein content (24.22%), net return (₹124,008) and benefit: cost ratio (3.91) were obtained with CCC at 750 ppm (T8). Overall, CCC at 750 ppm was the most effective treatment for enhancing productivity, seed quality and profitability of cluster bean under the semi-arid conditions of Jaipur.