Influence of plant growth regulators on growth and flowering in tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cv. “Pearl double”

Tuberose, the fascinating cut flower is a major representative of bulbous flower group. The soil of theexperimental area was sandy loam and neutral in reaction. The total number of treatments were 10comprising 3 levels of Ethrel i.e. 100, 150 and 200 ppm; three levels of Maleic Hydrazide viz. M1 (50 ppm), M2 (100 ppm) and M3 (150 ppm) and three concentrations of Cycocel (3000, 5000 and 7000 ppm) andcontrol. The salient features of the present study are summarized as ethrel at 150 ppm was found to besuperior over 100 ppm and 200 ppm in increasing plant height, number of leaves, width of leaves andnumber of tillers per clump during study. The flowering parameters spike length, diameter of spike, number of spikes and number of florets per spike were also significantly increased with ethrel at 150ppm. The results of the study showed that tillers per clump, plant height, number of leaves and width ofleaves were positively influenced by MH at 100 ppm. It is pertinent from the present findings thatminimum days required for emergence of first spike and visibility of first flowering was recorded withthe MH at 50 ppm, while all other flowering characters were reported superior with MH at 100 ppm.