As the demand for protein-rich and nutritious food sources is increasing globally, moong or mung bean is gaining popularity as a healthy and economical crop. It is widely cultivated in India, China, and Southeast Asia, and is used in various dishes like salads, soups, and curries. The crop is, however, highly sensitive to environmental stresses like heat, drought, and salinity, which can reduce pod filling and consequently, the yield. To mitigate the adverse effects of these stresses, growth regulators are used in moong cultivation.
Growth regulators are chemicals that regulate or modify the growth and development of plants by modifying gene expression, enzyme activity, and hormone levels. These chemicals are used at different stages of the plant growth cycle to enhance yield, quality, and stress-resistance. In moong cultivation, growth regulators like auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins are used to improve pod filling and seed set.
Auxins are a class of hormones that promote cell elongation, apical dominance, and root development. In moong, exogenous application of auxins like 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or indole acetic acid (IAA) has been found to increase the number of pods per plant and the weight of seeds. The application of auxins during flowering and pod development stages can increase pod set, and the size and weight of seeds.
Cytokinins are another class of hormones that promote cell division, shoot development, and delay senescence. In moong, the application of cytokinins like kinetin or benzyl adenine (BA) has been found to enhance flowering, pod formation, and seed set. The application of cytokinins during the early stages of pod development can improve pod filling and seed yield.
Gibberellins are a class of hormones that promote stem elongation, fruit and seed development, and delay senescence. In moong, the application of gibberellins like GA3 or GA4 has been found to enhance seed germination, root and shoot growth, flowering, and pod filling. The application of gibberellins during the vegetative and reproductive stages can increase the number of pods per plant, the weight of seeds, and the biomass yield.
Apart from these hormones, other growth regulators like abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA) have also been studied for their role in enhancing pod filling and stress tolerance in moong. The application of ABA, for example, can improve drought tolerance and increase the accumulation of sugars and proteins in the seeds. Similarly, the application of SA or JA can improve the defense mechanism of the plant against biotic and abiotic stresses.
In conclusion, growth regulators are important tools for improving pod filling and yield in moong cultivation. However, their application should be based on the physiological stage of the plant and the environmental conditions. Overuse or misuse of growth regulators can result in phytotoxicity, reduced quality, and yield losses. Therefore, farmers should consult with agricultural experts and follow the recommended dosages and application methods to maximize the benefits of growth regulators.