Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Potassium Foliar Sprays on Productivity and Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Parthenocarpic Cucumber cv. ‘Seven Star F₁’

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the potential of exogenously applied potassium nitrate [1.0 g·dm−3(K1), 2.5 g·dm−3(K2) and 5 g·dm−3(K3)] plus gibberellic acid (GA3) [0.005 g·dm−3(G1), 0.01 g·dm−3(G2) and 0.015 g·dm−3(G3)] on the growth and development of the cucumber (Cucumis sativusL.) ‘Seven Star F1’ during various growth stages (40, 55 and 70 days after sowing). Treatment of plants with K plus GA3stimulated growth shortened the fruit maturation period and increased quality compared with non-sprayed control. The combination G2K2resulted in maximum total yield, plant height, and total chlorophyll, phosphorus and nitrogen content in the leaves compared with other treatments. Fruit matured significantly earlier in plants sprayed with G2K2. Total yield and fruit quality dry matter, total suspended solids and antioxidant activity percentages were significantly higher in sprayed plants compared with controls. Potassium content in leaves and fruits reached the maximum level with G3K3treatment. The results clearly showed that the foliar application of G2K2proved to be the best choice for growing cucumber in terms of quantity and quality of yield.

IMPROVING SQUASH (Cucurbita pepo L.) PLANT GROWTH, SEX EXPRESSION AND YIELD BY FOLIAR APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM AND ETHEPHON UNDER HIGH SUMMER TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS

“…They referred this enhancing effect to the physiological role of potassium in stimulating enzymes responsible for carbohydrate synthesis and production of energy as well as protein synthesis through its role in activation of nitrate reduction inside the plant to produce ammonia then amino acids. Similar induced in morphological characters of squash and other cucurbits plants of potassium foliar application has been reported by Abd El-Hamed and Elwan (2011), Kazem (2013), Shafeek et al (2013) and Pal et al(2016).…”

“…This increment may be due to that plants need a high amount of potassium and other nutrients during flowering and fruit setting stages to perform the biological operations as increase in photosynthesis which couple with chlorophyll synthesis. (Pal et al,2016). An adequate quantity of potassium plays a principal role in plant growth and development by activating abundant enzymes which control cell osmoregulation and the stomatal movement during photosynthesis (Broadley et al,2009).…”

“…It is involved in stomatal regulation of transpiration , photosynthesis, photophosphorylationg transportation of photoassimilates from source tissues via the phloem to sink tissues, enzyme activation, turgor maintenance and stress tolerance (Usherwood, 1985, Marschner, 1995and Pettigrew, 2008. Foliar potassium fertilizers were tested at different doses on squash and other cucurbits crops, its use increased vegetative growth, flowering as well as yield and its components (Al-Hamzawi, 2010;Abdulgabbar and Mohammed, 2010;Abd-El-Hamed et al, 2011;Ezzo et al, 2012;Glala et al, 2012;Baruah and Sarma, 2013;Kazemi, 2013;Pal et al, 2016and Shafeek et al, 2013.…”

Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Leaf Lettuce and Rocket Grown in a Floating System

“…These effects can vary greatly depending on hormone requirement, relative concentrations, and plant responses at different growth stages [29]. Many studies have focused the attention on the use of this phytohormone for improving the productivity and quality of several crop plants [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. GAs have been commercially applied to control the vegetative growth of many horticultural crops.…”

Influence of Some Squash Cultivars and Growth Stimulants on Flowering, Yield and Fruit Quality at Autumn – Winter Season Under Open Field Conditions

“…Furthermore, Kazemi (2013) on cucumber stated that potassium promotes photosynthesis and transport assimilates of the carbohydrates to the storage organs. Moreover, Pal et al (2016) found that applied plants with potassium increased protein synthesis and accelerating enzymes activity which responsible for biomass accumulation in cucumber fruits . Also , Abd-Alkarim et al (2017) on cucumber found that silicon increased fruit chemical composition, i.e., nitrogen , phosphorus , potassium and protein percentage.…”