Application of Plant Growth Regulators to improve Fruit Yield and Quality in Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.)

Application of plant growth substances on bearing trees of aonla cultivar Narendra Aonla-6 significantly increased fruit retention. The minimum fruit drop was recorded with the use of NAA (15 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%) followed by 2,4-D (10 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%) and GA3 (50 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%). The maximum increase in size, weight and volume of fruits and the maximum fruit yield were noted on trees sprayed with NAA (15 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%). The improvement in fruit quality parameters (TSS, ascorbic acid, sugars and acidity) was highest with the application of GA3 (50 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%) which showed non-significant difference with NAA (15 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%). Results revealed that foliar application of NAA (15 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%) or GA3 (50 ppm) + Thiourea (0.1%), twice during mid-May and mid-July, may effectively overcome the problem of fruit drop leading to higher yield of quality fruits