Morphactin-Induced Parthenocarpy in the Cucumber

Abstract

Parthenocarpy was induced in cucumber Cucumis sativus L. by foliar application of morphactin. Morphactin (chlorfluorenol) was most effective in inducing parthenocarpy when applied in the flowering stage, and the response was enhanced by prior treatment with Ethrel (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid). Morphactin stimulated pistillate flower development in a monoecious cultivar but did not modify sex expression of a gynoecious line.