Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Flower Yield and Shelf Life of Gaillardia

Abstract

To assess the impact of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on flower yield and quality of Gaillardia, an experiment was carried out at Pt. Kishori Lal Shukla College of Horticulture and Research Station, Rajnandgaon (C.G.) during the 2022-2023. Thirteen treatments comprising different concentrations of GA₃ (100 ppm, 200 ppm, 250 ppm), NAA (100 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm), CCC (500 ppm, 750 ppm, 1000 ppm), MH (50 ppm, 100 ppm, 150 ppm) and control (Distilled water) were laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Application of different plant growth regulators was done at 30, 45 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT). Results revealed that foliar application of GA₃ 100 ppm significantly enhanced flower diameter (66.35 mm), number of flowers/plant (77.66), flower yield per plant (177.50 g), flower yield/plot (4.43 kg), flower yield/hectare (14.76 t/ha) and flowering duration (78.90 days) and shelf life (42 hrs). These findings suggest that GA₃ at 100 ppm is most effective in improving flowering, yield parameters and shelf life of Gaillardia.