EFFECT OF DIFFERENT HORMONE TREATMENTS ON THE SEED PRODUCTION IN CASSIA ANGUSTIFOLIA

Cassia angustifolia Vahl. is a major source of anthracene which is used as a laxative. Leaves and pods of this plant constitute the principal raw material. To enhance the yield potentials for these plant parts, the sand treated dry seeds of C. angustifolia were treated with Gibberellic acid, Naphthoxy-acetic acid, Indoleacetic acid and 2,4-Dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid for 18h at 26 ° C. The dose utilised for treatment was 50 ppm. Treated seeds were post-soaked for 2h in distilled water and sown in the field. The treated population presented different degrees of stimulation in growth or expression of various parameters. The effect of hormones was pronounced especially in the pod and seed production. Maximum enhancement in the pod or seed production was obtained with Gibberellic acid, followed by 2,4-Dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid. Indoleacetic acid did not stimulate the pod production. However, there was an increase in seed production per plant, while Naphthoxy-acetic acid only marginally increased the pod or seed production.