The effect of different concentrations of foliar spraying gibberellic acid and benzyl adenin on fruit physico –chemial properties barberry (Berberis vulgaris)

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a drought- and salt-tolerant shrub cultivated extensively in South Khorasan Province. This was a factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design and four replications. In this study, five levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L) of gibberellic acid (GA3) and 6-benzyl adenine (6-BA) were sprayed on the barberry alone and in combination with each other (GA3+BA). According to the results, the fruit length significantly increased after the treatment at all levels of GA3 and GA3+BA, and 200 mg of BA compared to the control. GA3 (100 mg/L) and control solutions caused the highest (12.09 mm) and lowest (9.84 mm) increase in the fruit length, respectively. The use of GA3 and GA3+BA significantly increased the fruit diameter and weight compared to the BA. The highest fruit diameter (7.33 mm) and weight (0.37 g) were observed in the GA3 and GA3+BA treatments, respectively. All concentrations of GA3 and GA3+BA, and 100 and 200 mg/L of BA significantly increased the total soluble solids (TSS) compared to the control. All concentrations of GA3+BA, 200 mg/L of GA3, and 200 mg/L of BA significantly increased anthocyanin as compared to the control. Therefore concluded GA3 is the best plant growth regulator to increase quantity and quality of barberry fruit.