Effect of mepiquat chloride on cotton var Suraj shoot and root growth behaviour

The growth regulator mepiquat chloride (1, 1-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride) is globally used in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for canopy manipulation to avoid excess vegetative growth. The pot culture experiment was conducted at Division of Crop Production, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur during summer- 2018 to study the “Effect of mepiquat chloride on cotton var Suraj shoot and root growth behaviour”. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Block Design with four replications and seven treatments such are T0 was control, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 (300, 600, 900, 1200, 1500 and 1800 mg litre-1 respectively at squaring stage 45 DAS). Foliar application of highest concentration of mepiquat chloride in treatment (T6) being 1800 mg litre-1 reduced cotton plant height, height to node ratio, number of main stem node, stem diameter, leaf area and shoot dry weight whereas, root length and root dry weight are increased as compared to control (T0). Biochemical parameter like chlorophyll (a, b and total) and carotenoid content increased in same concentration of MC significantly on other hand starch content and nitrate reductase activity significantly higher in treatment T4 (1200 mg litre-1) compare to control.