Effect of plant growth regulators on growth, yield and essential oil production of henna (Lawsonia inermis L.)

A field experiment was conducted during 1994-95 and 1995-96 at Udaipur, India to study the effect of cycocel (1000, 2000, 4000 ppm), thiourea (500, 1000, 2000 ppm) and kinetin (25, 50, 100 ppm) on vegetative growth, essential oil content, yield and quality of henna. A spray of 2000 ppm cycocel was found to be most effective, resulting in reduced plant height and an increased number of inflorescences. Maximum yield of foliage, as well as henna powder per plant were recorded with cycocel 2000 ppm which was, statistically, as effective as thiourea at 2000 ppm. The maximum weight of flowers, essential oil content in flowers and yield of essential oil per plant were recorded with thiourea 2000 ppm. The colour intensity of henna powder was shown to be maximal with kinetin 100 ppm followed by thiourea 2000 ppm.