Effect of silver nitrate on staminate flower induction on a gynoecious cucumber line

Abstract

Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) at 50, 200, 350 and 500 ppm and gibberellic acid (GA₃) at 1500 ppm were used in the induction of staminate flower production in a gynoecious cucumber line Gy2. A single spraying of the plants in the 3-4 true leaf stage was used. Fourteen days after spraying, the first abnormal intermediate forms of flowers (bisexual flowers) occurred in plants treated with 200, 350 and 500 ppm of AgNO₃. Production of male flowers started about 20 days after treatment. Plants treated with AgNO₃ at 200, 350 and 500 ppm had in average 9, 18 and 21 male flowers per plant, respectively. Even at the two highest concentrations AgNO₃ was not phytotoxic. The concentration of 350 ppm effectively induced male flowering in concentration to be used in seed production of gynoecious cucumber hybrids.