AbstractPotato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is highly responsive to plant growth regulators (PGRs) that influence physiological and morphological processes throughout its life cycle. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of exogenous application of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin on growth and yield attributes of potato cv. Diamond under field conditions. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with ten treatments comprising different concentrations of GA3, NAA and kinetin along with an untreated control. PGRs were applied at critical growth stages such as sprouting, vegetative development and tuber initiation. Results revealed that 100% GA markedly improved vegetative performance, evidenced by maximum plant height (62.41 cm), leaf production (57.8 leaves plant-1) and enhanced tuber characteristics including length (7.2 cm), diameter and marketable yield. NAA and kinetin treatments also promoted growth, though their influence remained slightly inferior to GA3. The improved productivity associated with GA3 application can be attributed to enhanced cell elongation, photosynthate translocation and tuber expansion. Therefore, foliar use of GA at recommended concentration may serve as an effective agronomic strategy for augmenting yield of potato under Punjab conditions.
Kaur et al. (Wed,) studied this question.