Effect of gibberellic acid spray on performance of tomato
Journal Article
Khan, Mohd Masroor A. Khan, Gautam C., Firoz Mohammad, Manzer H. Siddiqui, Mohd Naeem, Mohd. Nasir . 2006
Publication Online URL:
Volume Number:
30
Pages:
11 to 16
Publication Abstract:
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is a rich source of lycopene and vitamins. Lycopene may help counteract the harmful effects of substances called “free radicals”, which are thought to contribute to age-related processes and a number of types of cancer, including, but not limited to, those of prostate, lung, stomach, pancreas, breast, cervex, colorectum, mouth and oesophagus (1-6). It is, therefore, highly desirable to explore possible ways and means to enhance the productivity of this important crop employing costeffective and easy to use techniques. In this regard, the effect of spray of gibberellic acid (GA3) at very low concentrations could be exploited beneficially as its natural occurrence in plants in minute quantities is known to control their development. It is an established phytohormone used commercially for improving the productivity and quality of a number of crop plants (7- 10). Moreover, experience at Aligarh with crop plants other than tomato has been highly encouraging (11). It was, therefore, decided to study the efficacy of foliar application of graded low levels of GA3 on the performance of 2 cultivars of tomato.