ENHANCEMENT OF GROWTH AND YIELD COMPONENTS THROUGH FOLIAR APPLICATION OF NAPHTHALENE ACETIC ACID (NAA) AND BEZYLAMINOPURINE (BAP) IN SPINACH

The present research work was conducted at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad to evaluate the effect of growth regulators (NAA and BAP) on growth and yield components of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) during 2006. Different combinations and concentrations of NAA and BAP were tested to evaluate different vegetative parameters. The data were recorded at 40 and 60 days after sowing. Highest data for plant height at 40 DAS was recorded for the combined affect of NAA and BAP at a concentration of 10^-3M (each). BAP at 10^-4 M concentration showed maximum plant height at 60 DAS. Maximum number of leaves was shown by NAA10^-5M both at 40 and 60 DAS. Increase in leaf length was observed for NAA10^-5M and BAP10^-4M both at 40 and 60 DAS. Significant variations were found for root length. Maximum root length was recorded for BAP (10^-3M) at 40 DAS. At 60 DAS maximum root length was observed for BAP (10^-5M) and NAA (10^-3M). Mean values for shoot fresh weight indicated significant results. Shoot fresh weight was observed maximum for NAA (10^-3M) and BAP (10^-3M). Maximum shoot dry weight was observed for the combined effect of NAA and BAP at a concentration of (10^-3M each). Significant variations were found in root dry weight. Highest data for root dry weight was noted for NAA at 10^-3M.