Abstract
Field experiments were conducted to determine the influence of a morphactin at 10-200 ppm on growth, flowering: seed yield, carbohydrates, protein and oil contents in seed of three varieties, JRC-212, JRC-321 and Hybrid-C of Corchorus capsularis L. Morphactin inhibited the main shoot elongation, weakened apical dominance and stimulated branching at all concentrations used. It delayed flowering and improved quantitative flowering up to 150 ppm. Pollen viability and germinability were both adversely affected at 150 and 200 ppm in all varieties. Morphactin appreciably enhanced the seed yield up to 150 ppm, maximum effect being at 100 ppm, with marked reduction at 200 ppm. It appears that yields of carbohydrates, protein and oil ha-1 were more closely associated with the seed yield than with the contents of carbohydrates, protein and oil for the varieties tested. Abundant and well distributed rainfall during 1984 crop season led to optimum seed yield compared with other years. Further, cloudy conditions during August induced profuse flowering, resulting in higher seed yield. The effects of rainfall and day-length on flowering and seed yield were augmented by morphactin application.
