Influence of 4-CPA Growth Regulator for Enhancing Yield of Tomato During Low Night Temperature Stress
Influence of 4-CPA Growth Regulator for Enhancing Yield of Tomato During Low Night Temperature Stress
Saeed Ahmed Shah Chishti1, Saba Aleem1*, Iram Sharif2, Kashif Nadeem1, Nusrat Parveen1 and Muhammad Najeebullah1
ABSTRACT
Flowering in Solanum lycopersicum L. is sensitive to low-temperature as it inhibits the fuit growth and causes poor fruit setting. The present experiment was conducted to improve the fruit growth and fruit set in tomato during low-temperature stress conditions by the use of growth regulator 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid. Seven different 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid levels along with two indeterminate tomato varieties saandal and sahel were tested in two minimum night temperature conditions 12.5-23°C and 2-7.5°C. Tomato yield per plant, yield per cluster, number of fruits per cluster, fruit weight and fruit diameter were significantly improved by the application of 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid. Highest yield per plant 13.50 kg was recorded with the application of 75 ppm in 4- chlorophenoxy acetic acid twicely when the minimum temperature was ranged between 12.5-23°C. Likewise, maximum yield per plant 7.08 kg was also obtained with the same treatment when the minimum temperature was between 2-7.5°C. This gain was primarily due to increased yield per cluster, fruits per cluster, fruit weight and fruit diameter in both minimum night temperature conditions (12.5-23°C and 2-7.5°C). 87 % gain in yield per plant was observed with 75 ppm double sprayed treatment over control when minimum night temperature varied between 2-7.5°C. Successful yield increase per plant suggested that 4-CPA could be used as a tool for getting economical tomato yield when night temperature falls below 10˚C.
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