INFLUENCE OF TIME OF APPLICATION OF GROWTH-REGULATORS ON BOLL RETENTION AND SEED SET OF UPLAND COTTON (GOSSYPIUM-HIRSUTUM) AND TREE COTTON (GOSSYPIUM-ARBOREUM) CROSSES

The effect of gibberellic acid (GA(3)) and indole acetic acid (IAA) on boil retention and seed set in crosses of upland cotton (Gossypium hi rsutum L.) and tree cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) was studied during 1994-95 after applying these growth regulators individually and in com bination on flower at emasculation, at the time of pollination and 48 hr after pollination. Maximum interspecific crossed bells were obtaine d in spring when GA(3) (100 ppm) was applied in 'Vikas' x 'Lohit' and reciprocal. In rainy season similar trend was observed for boil retent ion. Maximum interspecific crossed seed was obtained by application of GA(3) (100 ppm) in spring and rainy seasons. The best time of growth regulators application was at pollination in both the seasons.