Effect of Foliar Application of GA3 , Ethrel and Copper Sulphate on Fruit and Yield of Jatropha Curcas L.

Jatropha curcas, a monoecious perennial biofuel shrub belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, has few female flowers, which is one of the most important reasons for its poor seed yield. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of foliar application of GA<SUB>3</SUB> (25, 50,100ppm), Ethrel (1500, 2000, 2500ppm), Copper sulphate (0.10, 0.20, 0.50ppm) on fruit 3 and seed yield of J. curcas. Exogenous application GA<SUB>3</SUB> 50ppm resulted in significantly increased number of fruits per 3 inflorescence (3.71) , number of fruits per plant (88.00), and total fruits (453.33) as well as 355.55 gm seed yield per th th plants in plant treated with GA 50ppm as compared to control between 9<SUP>th</SUP> to 14<SUP>th</SUP> spray. The Male: Female flower ratio 3 th was lowest at 14<SUP>th</SUP> spray stage under majority of treatments indicating increased number of female flowers which is ultimately reflected by increased fruit and seed yield.