Abstract

The use of plant growth regulators has become a widespread practice in the citrus producing countries of the world to control fruit drop at various stages during fruit growth and development. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of two plant growth regulators on reproductive growth and yield development of Assam lemon (Citrus limon L.). Foliar applications of different concentrations of GA3 (20, 40 and 60 ppm) and NAA (10, 20 and 30 ppm) at pre- and post-flowering stages significantly altered reproductive physiology of the crop. GA3 appreciably reduced the time taken for flower initiation compared to control. The duration from flowering to harvest also decreased significantly by GA3. Yield and yield attributing characters like number of flowers per shoot, highest fruit set, fruit retention and number of fruits per plant were also positively influenced by GA3 treatment. The highest yield (55.92 t/ha) was recorded in GA3 (60 ppm) treated plants.