EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS AND GA3 ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SWEET GOURD

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different nutrient sources and GA3 concentrations on growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet gourd. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment considered of three sources of nutrients viz. F1 = only recommended doses of fertilizer, F2 = F1+5 ton vermicompost/ha, F3 = F1+2 ton vermicompost/ha + 1 ton MOC/ha and three concentration of GA3 (0ppm, 200ppm and 400ppm). The experiment was conducted to assess plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, male and female flowers, fruit/pit, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, yield/pit as well as yield per hectare. From the experiment it was revealed that maximum plant height at 30, 45, 60 and 90 DAS (50.80, 102.33, 227.67 and 421.33 cm), number of leaf at 30, 45, 60 and 90 DAS (17.16, 26.53, 51.43 and 68.00), number of branch/plant at 30,45,60 and 90 DAS (1.37, 3.56, 4.78 and 9.60), male and female flowers/plant (57.70 and 9.01), fruits/pit (7.32 kg), fruit weight (4.91 kg), fruit diameter (29.53 cm), fruit length (13.96 cm), yield/pit (39.97kg), yield/ha (39.90 t) was recorded from F2G1 (Only recommended doses of fertilizer + 5 ton vermicompost/ha +200 ppm GA3 and minimum in F3G2 (F1+2 ton vermicompost + MOC (Mustard oil cake)1 ton/ha+ 400 ppm GA3). Results indicated that the treatment combining chemical fertilizer + 500 g of vermicompost per pit and 200 ppm GA3 (F2G1) significantly performed all other treatments across most parameters, showing the highest growth, fruit size and yield. On the other hand, higher GA3 concentrations (400 ppm) and treatments with F3 and MOC (F3G2) led to reduced growth and fruit development. The study concludes with recommendations for using a combination of chemical fertilizers + vermicompost (5 ton/ha) and 200 ppm GA3 to maximize sweet gourd production. The findings suggest that a balanced nutrient management strategy incorporating both organic and inorganic fertilizers, along with moderate GA3 application, is the most effective approach for enhancing sweet gourd productivity.