Effects of Prohexadione Calcium Applications on Growth and Yield Characteristics of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of growth regulator prohexadione calcium (Pro-Ca) and inhibitor gibberellic acid on some parameters (yield, pigment levels of leaves, nutrient contents, proline, enzyme activities and fruit quality) when applied at different doses (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg L-1). Chemicals were applied after transplanting seedlings. A total of 12 plots including 3 plants for each dose were used in randomised plot experimental design. Although it has a positive effect on leaf proline content and enzyme activities, 45, and 60 mg L-1 doses of Pro-Ca had negative effects on morphological parameters (excluding stem diameter), yield, leaf pigment (excluding chlorophyll a) and nutrient contents compared to control. High Pro-Ca doses generally affected the fruit quality properties positively while 15 mg L-1 of Pro-Ca did not affect other parameters, except decreasing fruit yield. A 30 mg L-1 of Pro-Ca dose was the most positive effective dose on the examined parameters. The highest vegetative development, yield, nutrient uptake and proline content were obtained from the plants subjected to 30 mg L-1 of Pro-Ca dose. Moreover, this dose increased fruit firmness, TSS, EC values and enzyme activities compared to control. Being an important quality criterion in cucumber storage after harvest, the weight loss rate 29.4% was lower in fruits obtained from the plant having 30 mg L-1 of Pro-Ca dose compared to that of the control plants. Therefore, 30 mg L-1 of Pro-Ca application, beside its positive effects on plant growth, yield and fruit quality, can be suggested for also increase shelf life of fruits in cucumber cultivation in greenhouse.

Prohexadione-calcium alleviates the leaf and root damage caused by salt stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.) at the tillering stage

“…In our study, after spraying Pro-Ca, the antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, APX, and CAT) of the rice roots and leaves under salt stress were significantly higher than those under salt stress alone. Previous studies have also confirmed that Pro-Ca can promote oxidase in cucumbers and soybean [23,67]. Under salt stress, the contents of GSH and AsA in the rice roots and leaves sprayed with Pro-Ca increased significantly in our study.…”

Effect of NaCl stress on tillering of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and mitigation regulation of prohexadione-calcium

“…Feng et al 25 found that the application of exogenous Pro-Ca signi cantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POD) in soybean seedlings under saline-alkali stress. An earlier study also suggested that Pro-Ca can increase SOD, CAT, and POD enzyme activities by stimulating the antioxidative defense system in cucumber plants 53 . However, with the extension of treatment time, the scavenging ability of Pro-Ca to ROS in rice leaves at the tillering stage weakened under NaCl stress, which might be due to its short-term effect 41 .…”

Prohexadione calcium enhances rice growth and tillering under NaCl stress

“… Feng et al (2021) also found that the application of exogenous Pro-Ca significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POD) in soybean seedlings under saline-alkali stress. An early study also showed that Pro-Ca can increase the activities of SOD, CAT, and POD enzymes by stimulating the antioxidant defense system of cucumber plants ( Başak, 2021 ). However, with the extension of treatment time, the ROS scavenging ability of Pro-Ca in rice leaves at the tillering stage was weakened under NaCl stress, which may be due to its short-term effect ( Kim et al, 2007 ).…”