February 06, 2026 | Applied Fruit Science | Gomasta
This study conducted by Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), Bangladesh evaluated the use of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to improve fruit retention, yield, and quality in hog plum, a nutrient-rich tropical fruit with high economic potential but limited commercial success. Hog plum production is often constrained by low fruit set, high fruit drop, and short shelf life, which reduce its market value.
GA₃ was applied at different growth stages—panicle development, 50% flowering, and fruit setting—using concentrations ranging from 0 to 400 ppm. The results showed that application timing and dosage significantly influenced plant performance. Spraying GA₃ at the 50% flowering stage, combined with fruit setting, produced the best outcomes in terms of fruit retention, yield, and quality. Specifically, concentrations of 200–300 ppm were most effective, with 300 ppm achieving the highest fruit set, fruit weight, and overall yield, while significantly reducing fruit drop.
In addition, GA₃ treatments improved key quality parameters, including total soluble solids, sugar content, ascorbic acid, and shelf life, while reducing acidity. The edible portion of the fruit also increased due to reduced seed weight. In contrast, very low or high concentrations were less effective. The study indicates that optimized GA₃ application can enhance both productivity and postharvest quality of hog plum, supporting its commercial development.
