Effect of plant growth regulators in yield and fruit quality in pomegranate cv. Ruby.

An investigation was carried out during 2006-07 and 2007-08 to harness beneficial effects of plant growth regulators on yield and fruit quality in pomegranate cv. Ruby. Seven treatments with three growth regulators, viz., NAA at 25, 50 ppm; GA 3 at 10, 20 ppm; 2,4-D at 5, 10 ppm and control (water spray) were sprayed three times starting at 50% flowering stage and, subsequently, at 21 days' interval. Results revealed that application of NAA at 25 ppm gave significantly high fruit set (44.3%) and fruit retention (44.1%) which resulted in highest fruit yield of 7.8 kg/plant at the age of 7 years, as against 1.7 kg in the control. Fruit weight and quality improved significantly due to growth regulator sprays.