Influence of Nutrition and Bioregulators on Flower Retention, Pod Set and Yield on Pigeon Peas (Cajanus Cajan (L.) Huth)

Abstract

None of three growth regulators (TIBA, NAA and IAA) nor a soluble foliar fertilizer applied to two dwarf semi-determinate cultivars of pigeon peas, (GI 27/4a and CH 11/33/34) in Trinidad had any effect on pod set or final pod number; neither did they reduce or increase flower abscission, nor did they significantly alter pod fresh weight, seed number per pod or mean weight per seed. Effect on pod weight was generally small. In both cultivars, application of TIBA (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid) caused epinasty of young leaves, loss of apical dominance, increased branching and delayed flowering and maturity. Plants changed from the reproductive to the vegetative stage. The intensity of these effects varied with the cultivar.