Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results revealed that the foliar treatments significantly impacted the number of pods per plant, with a statistically significant effect at the 5% significance level. The number of seeds per pod indicated that the comparison between the Control (T
0), pod angle indicated that the foliar treatments had a significant effect. For pod thickness indicated that none of the sources of variation had a significant effect, demonstrating the overall effectiveness of the chemical treatments (Table 1).
The ANOVA revealed significant differences in the 1000-seed weight, horizontal and vertical seed sizes, vertical seed size, seedling length across all three factors: variety (V Factor), treatment (T Factor) and their interaction (V Factor × T Factor). The interaction between variety and treatment was significant at the 1% level, indicating that the impact of treatment on seed size varies depending on the variety. This suggests that different mungbean varieties respond differently to the treatments applied, making it necessary to explore specific variety-treatment interactions through multiple comparison tests (Table 2).
Pods per plant (No.)
The highest pod counts were recorded under treatment T
1 (GA
3 at 80 ppm). These results indicate that GA
3 was particularly effective in enhancing pod production when compared to their respective controls. Other treatments, such as T
6 (IAA at 100 ppm), T
5 (KNO
3 at 1 mm) and T
3 (H
2O
2 at 10 mm), also resulted in notable increases in the number of pods per plant for several cultivars, demonstrating their potential to enhance pod formation in certain genetic backgrounds. Treatment T
4 (MH at 1000 ppm) and T
2 (ABA at 50 ppm) consistently resulted in the lowest pod counts across V
8T
4 (4.59) suggest that MH has a suppressive effect on pod formation (Table 3).
The application of GA
3 (T
1) had the most profound positive effect on pod production across all cultivars. This finding aligns with studies by
Yogananda et al., (2004). The significant increase in the number of pods per plant across treatments can be attributed to the role of GA
3 in promoting cell elongation and division, resulting in improved reproductive development. While, MH and ABA were found to suppress pod formation, consistent with findings by
Gupta et al., (1985) and
Vaithialingam and Rao, (1973b), reported similar dormancy-inducing and growth-suppressing effects of MH. The suppressive effects of ABA are well-documented in studies showing ABA’s role in inhibiting growth and promoting dormancy
(Birgitkucera et al., 2005).
Seeds per pod (No.)
Highest number of seeds per pod was recorded in the T
1 (GA
3 at 80 ppm) treatments across V
5T
1 (12.46). These treatments showed a notable increase in seed count per pod compared to the control (T
0), indicating the effectiveness of GA
3 in promoting seed formation. Additionally, treatments such as T
6 (IAA at 100 ppm), T
5 (KNO
3 at 1 mm) and T
3 (H
2O
2 at 10 mm) also exhibited significant increases in seed count per pod in several cultivars when compared to their respective controls. Conversely, some treatments resulted in a decrease in the number of seeds per pod compared to their control. For instance, treatments like T
4 (MH at 1000 ppm) consistently showed lower seed counts, including V
1T
4 (8.74). Furthermore, the T
2 (ABA at 50 ppm) treatment also resulted in a significant reduction in seeds per pod, indicating a negative impact of ABA on seed formation (Table 3).
The significant increase in seeds per pod observed with GA
3 treatments (T
1) is supported by earlier studies that showed GA
3 as an effective growth regulator for enhancing seed formation and improving reproductive growth
(Finkelstein et al., 2008). On the other hand, the negative effects of MH and ABA on seed production can be attributed to their roles in inducing dormancy and inhibiting germination-related processes (
Vaithialingam and Rao, 1973a).
Pod angle (Degree)
The effect of the different foliar applications on pod angle varied widely, with angles ranging from 85.90 degrees in the V
1T
1 treatment to 65.94 degrees in the V
6T
4 treatment. This variation indicates that some treatments resulted in more upright pod positioning, while others led to a more acute angle, potentially affecting pod exposure to sunlight and air circulation, which could influence pod development and overall plant health. The maximum pod angles were observed in treatments: V
1T
1 (85.90 degrees), when compared to their respective control treatments (Check). In addition, treatments such as T
6 (IAA at 100 ppm), T
5 (KNO
3 at 1 mm) and T
3 (H
2O
2 at 10 mm) also exhibited significant increases in pod angles across several cultivars. Conversely, the minimum pod angles were recorded in treatments V
6T
4 (65.94 degrees). These treatments, particularly under T
4 (MH at 1000 ppm) and T
2 (ABA at 50 ppm), showed a significant decrease in pod angle compared to their respective controls (Table 3).
The increase in pod angle observed in treatments such as GA
3 (T
1), IAA (T
6) and KNO
3 (T
5) suggests that these treatments promote more upright pod growth, which is beneficial for improving air circulation and reducing disease risk
(Naidu et al., 1994). Conversely, MH (T
4) and ABA (T
2) treatments resulted in more acute pod angles, potentially influencing pod exposure to environmental conditions and negatively affecting pod development. Foliar application of salicylic acid and potassium in mung bean also confirmed by
Majeed et al., (2016). These findings are consistent with previous research highlighting the effects of growth regulators on plant architecture
(Porwal et al., 2002).
Pod thickness (mm)
Despite the lack of significant variation, minor differences in pod thickness were observed across the treatments. The thickest pods were recorded under treatment T
4 (MH at 1000 ppm) in most cultivars, including V
6T
4 (0.84 mm), when compared to their respective control (Check). Notably, the T
2 (ABA at 50 ppm) treatment across all tested varieties also produced relatively thicker pods, suggesting that some inherent genetic factors may contribute to pod thickness, independent of the treatments applied. On the other hand, the thinnest pods were observed in treatment T
1 (GA
3 at 80 ppm), followed by treatments T
6 (IAA at 100 ppm), T
5 (KNO
3 at 1 mm) and T
3 (H
2O
2 at 10 mm) compared to controls (Table 4).
These treatments did not show a substantial impact on pod thickness. The lack of significant variation in pod thickness across treatments aligns with previous studies indicating that pod thickness may be more genetically controlled than environmentally influenced
(Williams et al., 1984). However, minor variations in pod thickness observed with MH and ABA treatments could be linked to their effects on cell wall structure and integrity, as documented by
Gupta et al., (1985)
.
Pod length (cm)
Highest pod lengths were recorded in V
8T
1 (8.60 cm) particularly those treated with T
1 (GA
3 at 80 ppm), were statistically at par with interactions T
6 (IAA at 100 ppm), T
5 (KNO
3 at 1 mm) and T
3 (H
2O
2 at 10 mm), demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing pod length. Conversely, certain treatments resulted in reduced pod lengths compared to their controls. For instance, the following combinations exhibited shorter pod lengths: V
3T
4 (6.30 cm). These results suggest that treatment T
4 (MH at 1000 ppm) negatively affected pod length in most varieties. Additionally, treatments involving T
2 (ABA at 50 ppm) consistently showed significant reductions in pod length (Table 4).
Pod length showed significant variation across treatments, with GA
3 (T
1), IAA (T
6) and KNO
3 (T
5) treatments consistently producing longer pods. This aligns with research indicating that GA
3 promotes cell elongation, leading to enhanced pod growth
(Yogananda et al., 2004). In contrast, MH (T
4) and ABA (T
2) treatments resulted in shorter pod lengths, likely due to their growth-suppressing effects, as previously reported by
Vaithialingam and Rao, (1973b).
1000-Seed weight (g)
Highest 1000-seed weights in V
8T
1 (41.70 g) which were significantly greater than their respective control treatments. T
6 (IAA at 100 ppm), T
5 (KNO
3 at 1 mm) and T
3 (H
2O
2 at 10 mm) also showed maximum 1000-seed weights compared to their controls while minimum in V
8T
4 (25.03 g). These combinations, particularly T
4 (MH at 1000 ppm), T
2 (ABA at 50 ppm) consistently produced lower seed weights. further indicating that ABA may negatively impact seed weight in mungbean (Table 4).
The results showed significant differences in 1000-seed weight across treatments, with GA
3, IAA and KNO
3 treatments producing heavier seeds. This supports earlier findings that GA
3 enhances seed weight by promoting nutrient allocation and seed development
(Finkelstein et al., 2008). The negative impact of MH and ABA on seed weight can be attributed to their role in inducing dormancy and inhibiting growth, as noted by
Gupta et al., (1985) and
Hu et al., (2010).
Seed size (mm)
Seed size horizontal (mm)
The highest horizontal seed sizes were observed in V
1T
1 (3.37 mm). Additionally, all tested variety interactions with treatments T
6 (IAA at 100 ppm), T
5 (KNO
3 at 1 mm) and T
3 (H
2O
2 at 10 mm) also produced statistically larger horizontal seed sizes when compared to control (T
0). On the other hand, the lowest horizontal seed sizes were found in V
2T
4 (2.77 mm). Furthermore, all varieties in combination with treatment T
2 (ABA at 50 ppm) showed a significant reduction in horizontal seed size, indicating the negative impact of this treatment on seed size (Table 5).
Seed size vertical (mm)
The highest vertical seed sizes were recorded in V
8T
1 (4.81 mm). Additionally, variety interactions with treatments T
6, T
5 and T
3 also resulted in increased vertical seed sizes compared to their control treatments (T
0). Conversely, the lowest vertical seed sizes were observed in V
7T
4 (3.72 mm). As with horizontal seed size, variety interactions with treatment T
2 resulted in a reduction in vertical seed sizes, which were lower than controls, indicating that this treatment may have a negative impact on vertical seed size (Table 5).
The interaction between variety and treatment significantly affected horizontal seed size, with GA
3, IAA and KNO
3 treatments producing the largest seeds. This result is consistent with studies showing that GA
3 and IAA promote seed enlargement by enhancing cell division and expansion (
Ravat and Nirav, 2015). The reduction in seed size observed with ABA and MH treatments aligns with previous research highlighting their inhibitory effects on seed development (
Vaithialingam and Rao, 1973b).
Seedling length (cm)
The interaction between variety and treatment was particularly significant, highlighting the combined influence of these factors on seedling length. The combination of variety V
8 and treatment T
1 (GA
3 at 80 ppm) resulted in the highest seedling length (41.72 cm). Additionally, treatments T
6 (IAA at 100 ppm), T
5 (KNO
3 at 1 mm) and T
3 (H
2O
2 at 10 mm) also resulted in substantial increases in seedling length. Conversely, the lowest seedling lengths were observed in combinations involving treatment T
4 (MH at 1000 ppm), including V
3T
4 (30.76 cm). These combinations demonstrated significantly lower seedling lengths compared to their respective control. Additionally, interactions involving treatment T
2 (ABA at 50 ppm) showed reduction in seedling length across all varieties, suggesting that ABA negatively impacts seedling growth (Table 5).
GA
3 consistently promoted the longest seedling lengths, further reinforcing its role as a growth enhancer
(Finkelstein et al., 2008). Chemical inducers of seed dormancy can interfere with various physiological processes essential for seed germination, thereby delaying or inhibiting the emergence of the radicle and subsequent seedling growth
(Gupta et al., 2024). The reduced seedling lengths observed with MH (T
4) and ABA (T
2) treatments reflect their inhibitory effects on growth and are in line with findings from
Hu et al., (2010). IAA treatment effect to significant extent for growth and to a level of non-significant for ionic concentration confirmed by
(Saima et al., 2022).