Hybrid method of gibberellic acid applications: A sustainable and reliable way for improving jerusalem cherry

Abstract

Ornamental plants are good sources of economy; hence, breeding methods to improve their yield quality and quantity of flowers are more focused. Applying gibberellins significantly enhances plant growth. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of various methods of applying gibberellic acid to improve the morphophysiological characteristics and the Jerusalem cherry's sugar and pigment content quality. The greenhouse experiment with Jerusalem cherry involved gibberellins (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/l) application and three application methods (foliar, drip treatment, and foliar + drip treatment). The results showed the reciprocal effect of experimental factors on plant height, lateral shoot length, lateral shoot number, fruit number, root length, root wet weight, stem wet weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, pigment function, chlorophyll index, and reducing sugar. Simultaneous application of foliar spray and soil application method + GA3 increased carotenoid and leaf area ratio compared to a single treatment. The highest amount of chlorophyll a (19.75 μg/ml), chlorophyll b (4.63 μg/ml), total chlorophyll (25.27 μg/ml), and the total amount of pigments (27.67 μg/ml) were obtained by leaves foliar spray and drip treatment with the concentration of 400 mg/l. GA3 application increased the number of fruits, pigment performances, and reduced sugars in a Jerusalem cherry. A hybrid application of leaf foliar spray and soil application showed better results than drip treatment and foliar spray.