Grain yield increase of physic nut by field‑application of benzyladenine

Abstract

The objective of this work was to quantify the flowering and grain production of physic nut (Jatropha curcas) in response to application of benzyladenine directly on closed inflorescences. The experiment was carried out in field, with plants at productive age and high‑crop density. The following variables were considered: number of female and male flowers per inflorescence, number of inflorescences and bunches per plant, number of fruit per bunch, percentage of fruit abortion, and grain yield per plant. The application of the plant regulator enhanced the number of female flowers per plant, increasing the number of fruit per bunch in 170%. Despite the lower fruit setting of treated plants, the application of benzyladenine increased grain yield in 92%.