Effect of seed treatment with gibberellic acid on growth paramerters of papaya seedlings (Carica papaya L.)

A pot experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm, MPUAT, Udaipur (Rajasthan) to evaluate the effect of seed treatment of gibberellic acid on growth parameters of papaya cultivars. The seeds of four varieties were treated with gibberellic acid namely, Honey Dew, Coorg Honey Dew, Farm Sel-1, and Hybrid Madhu. Different doses of GA₃ significantly influenced the height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area and root parameters. Likewise, the maximum seedling height, diameter of stem and number of leaf par plant 3.60cm, 0.235cm & 3.66 in first week and 17.83cm, 0.417cm & 10.08 respectively in fifth week were observed in GA₃ 100ppm as compared to control. Likewise, the maximum fresh and dry weight of stem and leaves (11.54 & 1.30 gm respectively) were observed in GA₃ 100 ppm and minimum 10.86gm & 1.14 gm in control. It might be due to the fact that GA₃ improve the rate of photosynthesis and cause greater accumulation of photosynthetes (Alvin, 1960). Chacko and Singh (1966) have also reported that the fresh weight of seedlings increased with increasing concentration of GA₃.