GA₃ LEAF APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF Passiflora edulis Sims f . flavicarpa Degener

ABSTRACT

With the knowledge that the exogenous application of gibberellins can alter physiological processes modifying the growth and development of plants as they function asregulator of cell division and elongation, the aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and development of Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener grown under light of 650 µmol m^-2 s^-1 for nine months andsubjected to weekly sprays with GA3. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments (0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 15.0 and 30.0 mg L^-1 GA₃) and ten repetitions. The substrate used was composed of a mixture (1:1:1 by volume) of washed coarse sand, chaff of washed coal and dystroferric red latosol organized in pots with a capacity of 5L. The concentrations of GA₃ influenced (p<0.05) most of the variables except the length of the main stem to the insertion of the first lateral stem, the number of lateral stems, the number of nodes of the main stem to the insertion of the first stem side, the number of nodes of the main stem to the insertion of the first tendril and the first three-lobed leaf, at the beginning of flowering, the number of lateral stems issued by the plant at the beginning of flowering and the number of nodes from the base of the main stem up the insertion of the first flower buds. Concentration of around 15 mg L^-1 caused higher plant length, greater length, greater number of nodes of the plant, and higher fresh and dry weight of plants. The use of 30 mg L^-1 GA3 anticipated the issuance of the first tendril and the first three-lobed leaf and produced a greater number of flower buds. Exogenous use of GA₃ at concentrations of 30 mg L^-1 was more effective in inducing floral that the evocation of Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener.

Index terms
Fruits; growth regulators; sour-passion fruit