Growth analysis of chickpea cv. Bari chhola-6 as affected by foliar spray of growth regulators

Leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and above ground dry matter accumulation (AGDM) of a cultivar of chickpea (Cicer arietenum) were studied with the application of potassium naphthenate (KNap) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) as foliar spray in 2001-2002. The growth regulators had greater influence on plants which showed comparable values of LAI, LAD, CGR, NAR and TDM over control plants. Out of the growth regulator treatment, 1500 ppm KNap produced 26.7 to 37.5% more TDM at different stages of growth than those of control, and it was superior to other treatments with NAA. Other growth parameters also increased following 1500 ppm KNap treatment. LAI, CGR, NAR and AGDM had a significant linear relationship with seed yield. The combination treatments of KNap and NAA concentrations did not show any cumulative influence on any of the parameters. Â Key words: Growth analysis, Chickpea, Foliar spray, Growth regulators DOI = 10.3329/bjb.v36i2.1497 Bangladesh J. Bot. 36(2): 105-110, 2007 (December)