Effect of Ethrel on Flower Production and Fruit Yield of Snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina)

Abstract

A study was undertaken to find out the effect of ethrel (2-chloroethane phosphoric acid) treatment on flower production and fruit yield of snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.). Seedlings of the crop at 2-true leaf stage and 4- true leaf stage were sprayed with ethrel solution at 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm. It was found that ethrel spray reduced the days to first female flowering, and increased the number of female flowers. On the contrary, the hormone increased the days to appearance of first male flower and increased the node number from the bottom bearing first male flower. Suppression in number of male flowers was observed at all concentrations as compared to control. The effect of ethrel on number and weight of fruit per plant and fruit dimension was not significant.