The effect of growth regulators on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fertility

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of 2,4 D (2,4di-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) used separately and in a mixture with BAP (benzylaminopurine) on fertility and some features of tomato fruit. The plant flowers were immersed only once in water solutions of the growth regulators (2,4 D 0.001%; 0.005 %; 2,4 D 0.001% + BAP 0.001%; 2,4 D 0.005 % + BAP 0.005 %). The mean fruit weight, fruit volume, specific weight, and the jelly weight were determined. The number of seeds collected from the fruit was used as a criterion of fertility estimation. No statistically significant differences were tbund in the mean fruit weight, fruit volume and specific weight. The fruits derived from the plants which were not exposed to the action of growth regulators were characterized by the smallest amount of jelly while the fruits set under the influence of 0.001% 2,4 D + 0.001% BAP had the largest jelly amount. The greatest differentiation was found in fertility which ranged from 7.5 seeds from the fruit derived from the plants treated with 0.005 % 2,4 D, to 75.7 seeds from the non-treated plants' fruit. The BAP addition caused the limitation of fertility reduction.

Effects of Gibberellic acid and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid Spray on Vegetative Growth, Fruit Anatomy and Seed Setting of Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.</i>)

“…It is a well-known fact that seeds play an important role in regulating fruit growth and development. According to the report of Nowaczyk and Nowaczyk (2000) treating tomato flowers with PGRs resulted in setting the fruits with smaller number of seeds or in extreme cases, in setting seedless fruits which coincide with the findings of this study especially when 2,4-D sprayed at 5 and 10 ppm. Bradford et al (2003) indicated that regulation of LeSNF4 expression by ABA and GA provides a potential link between hormonal and sugar-sensing pathways controlling seed development, dormancy, and germination.…”

“…The authors reported an increase in fruit weight due to 2,4-D application which could be also due to stimulation of parthenocarpic fruit growth by PGR that resulted in increased fruit weight. Nowaczyk and Nowaczyk (2000) reported that decrease in number of seed in fruits accompanied by production of smaller amount of jelly surrounding the seeds which may affect juice volume for processing tomato. However, under this experiment either 2,4D or GA 3 in single or combined application resulted in significant variation in fruit juice volume (data not present) as compared to the control treatment but it improved fruit pericarp thickness which may contribute to juice volume, TSS (Brix) and TA (%) (Dandena et al, 2010).…”