Influence of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Yield and Quality of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Farm of Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University, Naini, Prayagraj, during the Rabi season of 2025–26 to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators of okra cv., Arka Anamika. The research experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatment and three replications. The results revealed that the combined application of GA₃ and NAA significantly influenced the growth, yield and quality attributes of okra. Among all treatments, T₉ (GA₃ @ 200 ppm + NAA @ 200 ppm) recorded the maximum plant height (39.44, 128.29 and 176.44 cm at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively), number of leaves per plant (8.74 and 21.65 at 30 and 60 DAS, respectively), leaf length (21.78 and23.30cm at 30 and 60 DAS), leaf width (29.82 and 34.18 cm at 30 and 60 DAS), number of branches per plant (3.90 at 60 DAS). Additionally, T9 minimized the crop duration, requiring only 47 days to first flowering and 56 days to first harvest. While, maximizing reproductive and yield components such as the number of flower buds per plant (3.34 and 11.02 at 30 and 60 DAS), pod length(15.11cm), pod diameter (1.94 cm), number of seed per pods (53.33), number of pods per plant (14.37), fresh weight of pod (17.38g), pod yield per plot (3.51kg), total yield t/ha (8.78). Conversely qualitative parameters were also improved T₇ (GA₃ @ 100 ppm + NAA @ 200 ppm) producing superior ascorbic acid content(16.70mg/100g), total soluble solids (5.330brix) and moisture percentage in pods (90.07%). Overall, the combined application of GA3 and NAA exhibited enhanced vegetative development, overall plant vigor, and yield traits compared to the control treatment.