1Department of Vegetable Crops, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004.
Plant growth substances (PGR) did not influence freesh weight of tubers during sprouting. GA-2 ppm, IBA-5 ppm, ethephon-10 ppm and thiourea 1% increased sprout number significantly. Sprout lenghth was improved by PGR. Sprout weight was highest in ethephon-10 ppm followed by KNO3 1% and IBA-5 ppm. All the PGR improved the sprout survival percentage. Loss in fresh weight of tubers during sprouting ranged from 8–12%, when kept under dark or diffused light, however, fresh weight of tubers increased by 17% when kept under moist sand. Tubers sprouted under moist sand resulted in significantly higher number of sprouts, their length and weight when compared with other two sprouting conditions. Sprouts developed under moist sand performed better in nursery beds also.
