Effect of PGRs on Cucurbits: An Overview

Cucurbits, a popular vegetable, can thrive in deserts and moist tropics. The family Cucurbitaceae contains 118 genera and about 825 species. These crops are mostly grown in India during the summer and rainy seasons, with certain southern and western regions cultivating them in winter. These crops are annual and perennial. PGRs in cucurbits have shown promise in improving crop growth, productivity, and quality. PGRs affect several physiological and developmental processes in cucurbits. There are different effects of the various kind of the PGRs in cucurbits such as watermelon with 25-50 ppm GA3 yielded earlier and more fruits. Fruit count rose with 250 and 500 ppm ethrel. The 40 ppm GA3 increased vegetative growth and production. TIBA (20 ppm) increased fruit weight and yield. In case of cucumber GA3 at 20 ppm and NAA at 100 ppm increased cucumber growth and production. Application of GA3 (20 ppm) at the 4-leaf stage enhances growth, flowering, and yield in bottle gourd. In bitter gourd fruit per plant, fruit weight, and yield increased significantly with GA3 at 60 ppm. Ethrel at 50 ppm improved fruit set and weight. Gibberex treatments increased fruit quantity, weight, and yield per plant. Further study and fieldwork are needed to understand PGRs and determine the appropriate effects for cucurbits.