Effect of Mepiquat chloride on biomass,photosynthesis and yield in water stressed and irrigated tomato

摘要

Exogenous application of plant growth regulators are known to improve fruit set and fruit yield. They promote and accelerate uniform ripening for easy harvest. (Kuo et al., 6). Mepiquat chloride (1,1-Dimethyl-piper dinium chloride is a water soluble growth retardant which acts systematiclally in the plant after its absorption primarily via the leaf. It imparts dark green colour to the leaves and shortens internode length. It hastens the setting and uniform maturation of fruiting bodies (Madalagiri and Ganiger, 7). Mepiquat chloride resulted in increased translocation of C-assimilates and allocation of more biomass to the sink (Daie, 2). The effect of Mepiquat chloride has generally been studied under irrigated conditions and its effects on tomato grown under water deficit conditions are not known. In the present study,the effects of Mepiquat chloride on the partitioning of biomass in different plant parts, photosynthetic rate, relative water content and yield of tomato grown under both irrigated and water stressed conditions were evaluated.