Effect of plant growth regulaters on growth and sex expression of bitter gourd

Investigation was conducted to study the effect of different chemicals as a foliar spray on bitter gourd.  The treatments were comprised of plant growth regulators viz., NAA @ 50 mg/l and 75 mg/l, ethereal @ 50 mg/l and 100 mg/l, spermine @ 5 mg/l and 10 mg/l, putrescine @ 20 mg/l and 40 mg/l and Control (water spray) applied at 2 and 4 leaf stage. All the treatments improved the flowering and yield characters over control. However, among different treatments, foliar spray of NAA 75 mg/l followed by, putrescine @ 40 mg/l were found most significant in influencing parameters like no. of branches per vine, no. of days taken for first male and female flower, no. of male flowers,  no. of female flowers with highest yield. Whereas, significantly highest vine length was recorded in putrescine @ 20 mg/l.