Determination the Effect of Gibberellic Acid Foliar Spray on Growth in Olive Cuttings Cv. Coratina, Chetoui, Megaron under Saline Conditions

Abstract

The study was carried out at NARC Islamabad during July 2018 to October 2018 to examine the impact of gibberellic acid on the 01-year rooted olive cuttings of three varieties i.e. Coratina, Chetoui and Megaron in tunnel under saline environment. Soil salinity was developed artificially with the mixture of different salts at 2.0dSm-1. Completely randomized design was applied with three replications. Foliar spray of Gibberellic acid @ 0, 200 and 400 mgl-1 was done. Growth parameters of plant height stem diameter internodal distance, # of leaves plant-1, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight and chlorophyll contents were recorded at the end of the experiment. Coratina olive variety attained the highest plant height, internodal distance, number of leaves plant-1 and leaf area at 200 and 400 mgl-1 GA3 foliar spray than other two olive varieties. Stem diameter data indicated similar results in Coratina and Megaron olive varieties that was higher than control. Internodal distance was the maximum at 200 and 400 mgl-1 GA3 foliar spray than other two olive varieties in Coratina olive variety. There was no difference in fresh weight of leaves either in GA3 application as well as varieties. Chetoui olive variety gained the highest dry weight of leaves. Chlorophyll contents were gained the highest position by Megaron olive variety at 200 and 400 mgl-1 GA3 foliar spray than other two olive varieties under artificially saline conditions.