Effect of Growth Regulators on the Productivity of Some Major Oilseed Crops

A number of field experiments were conducted at the Viswavidyalaya Research Farm during 1984–85 to 1986–87 to study the effects of five growth regulators viz. Miraculan (a triacontanol based growth stimulant), Nutron (1-triacontanol growth stimulant), Planofix ( α -napthylacetic acid), Paras or Mixtalol (Higher alcoholic carbon compounds) and N-triacontanol on productivity of five different major oilseed crops viz. rapeseed ( Brassica campestris L. var. yellow sarson), mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss), sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.), linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) and safflower ( Carthemus tinctorius L.). Results showed the positive influence of growth regulators on the productivity of crops (10–40 % increase in yield); however the influence was not consistent over the years. N-triacontanol when tried on mustard only improved the grain yield significantly, more so when applied with paras or planofix, sesame was most influenced by spraying planofix and paras. Nutron favourably influenced safflower and linseed. The test weight of grains followed by the number of pods/plant were influenced most by the application of growth regulators. Inconsistency in results over the years, however, need further investigations on the timing of spraying.