Gram, also known as chickpea, is an important pulse crop that is widely cultivated in many regions around the world. It is a rich source of proteins and carbohydrates and plays a crucial role in the human diet. However, one of the major challenges in gram cultivation is achieving optimal pod filling, which directly impacts the yield of the crop. Fortunately, the use of growth regulators has been shown to improve pod filling in gram, leading to higher yields.
Growth regulators are synthetic compounds that can alter the growth and development of plants. In gram cultivation, there are several types of growth regulators that can be used to improve pod filling. One of the most commonly used growth regulators is gibberellic acid (GA), which is known to promote plant growth and increase the size of pods.
When applied at the flowering stage, GA can improve pod filling by stimulating cell division and elongation, leading to larger and more developed pods. Additionally, GA can also increase the number of flowers and pods per plant, which further improves the yield of the crop. However, it is important to note that the application of GA should be carefully timed to avoid any negative effects on plant growth or development.
Another growth regulator that has been shown to improve pod filling in gram is ethylene. Ethylene is a naturally occurring plant hormone that regulates many aspects of plant growth and development, including fruit and pod development. When applied at the flowering stage, ethylene can stimulate pod development by promoting cell division and differentiation. This results in larger pods that have a greater number of seeds, thereby increasing the yield of the crop.
In addition to GA and ethylene, there are other growth regulators that can be used to improve pod filling in gram, such as cytokinins and auxins. These growth regulators can also promote cell division and differentiation, leading to larger and more developed pods. However, the specific application method and timing may vary depending on the type of growth regulator used.
In conclusion, the use of growth regulators is an effective way to improve pod filling in gram cultivation. By promoting cell division and differentiation, growth regulators such as gibberellic acid and ethylene can increase the size and number of pods, leading to higher yields. However, it is important to carefully time the application of growth regulators to avoid any adverse effects on plant growth and development. With proper use, growth regulators can be a valuable tool for improving the productivity of gram crops.