Sex Expression and Fruit Development in Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) as Affected by Gibberellin

Abstract

A trial to study the effect of GIB on the sex expression and fruit development in cucumber was conducted in the Horticulture Division of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. It was observed that the plants sprayed with the GIB were more vigorous in growth and the first female flower appeared earlier and on lower nodes of the main axis than the control plants. There was marked suppression in the number of male flowers and increase in the number of female flowers on the sprayed plants. Female flowers with giant ovaries, about twice in length and guih than the normal ovaries, were produced on the sprayed plants. The petals of these in first few female flowers with these giant ovaries did not open and the ovaries developed into true parthenocarpic fruits of uniform size. The pollen fertility on the sprayed plants was not affected.