Effects of Prohexadione-Calcium Application Methods on Seedlings Growth and Leaf Pigmentation in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

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The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) application methods on the growth of cucumber seedlings and leaf pigmentation. In study, the comparison was made the methods of soaking 140 cucumber seeds in equal number in Pro-Ca solution for 18 hours at 0, 50, 100 and 200 ppm doses and spraying the same number of seedlings’ leaves with the same doses with respect to seedling growth and leaf pigmentation parameters. According to morphological measurements; both Pro-Ca treatment methods significantly inhibited the growth of seedlings compared to control plants. The lowest seedling length (3.79 cm), steam diameter (2.86 mm), steam fresh weight (1.37 g), steam dry weight (0.171 g) and root dry weight (0.096 g) were obtained from seeds soaked in 200 ppm Pro-Ca solution. The lowest root fresh weight (1.206 g) was determined by spray application of 100 ppm Pro-Ca solution to the leaves. The effect of Pro-Ca application on leaf pigmentation at seed stage was determined more positively. The highest chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were obtained at 50 ppm Pro-Ca dose applied to seed. To conclude, it is recommended that cucumber seeds could be kept in 50 ppm Pro-Ca solution for 18 hours in order to provide optimum growth control and seedling quality.

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Prohexadione , Calcium , cucumber , seedling , height control

Erciyes University Journal Of The Institute Of Science an‎d Technology

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Erciyes University Journal Of The Institute Of Science an‎d Technology