Effect of growth substances on growth and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Abstract

The investigation was carried out at Horticultural Research Station, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, during rabi season of two consecutive years i.e. 2016-17 and 2017-18. The variety ‘Hissar Sonali’ was selected for this study. The experiment comprising of three concentrations of five growth substances namely GA3 (50,100 and150 ppm), NAA (25, 50 and 75 ppm), ethrel (100,150 and 200 ppm), maleic hydrazide (500, 1000 and 1500 ppm), thiourea (250,500 and 750 ppm) and control (water spray) were applied as foliar spray at 30 and 60 days after sowing. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with three replications. Among different treatments, shortest duration for 50% pod formation (61.28 days), maximum yield plot-1(652.39g 3m-2) and projected yield ha-1 (16.31q) were observed with NAA 75 ppm. Plants treated with GA3 100 ppm recorded maximum number of seed pod-1 (15.18) and test weight (14.75 g). Maximum plant height (73.35cm) and primary branches (6.84) at 75 DAS were recorded with GA3 150 ppm. thiourea 500 ppm recorded longest pod (12.56 cm). The control plants recorded projected yield of 12.38 q ha-1. From yield maximization point of view the most effective treatment was NAA 75 ppm (16.31q ha-1) followed by thiourea 250 ppm (15.69 q ha-1) and ethrel 200ppm (15.46 q ha-1) under alluvial plains of West Bengal for fenugreek production.