Abstract
Research was conducted to determine the effects of foliar applications of the growth stimulators gibberellic acid 3(GA; 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 mg L[sup-]), acetylthioproline (AP; 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L[sup-]), benzyladenine (BA; 10, 20, 30, 40 mg L[sup-]), and a glycine-rich complex of amino acids and short-chain peptides (APC; 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L[sup-]) on the growth of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims.) seedlings for transplants. The growth stimulators were sprayed on the passion fruit leaves 15 days after emergence. Plant height and leaf and tendril number were determined weekly to establish the time between seedling emergence and the adequate transplanting stage. Adequate short transplants were defined as having at least four leaves, at least one tendril, and 25 cm in length. Adequate long transplants had at least four leaves, at least one tendril, and 50 in length. Regardless of rate, BA did not affect passion fruit seedling growth. In contrast, increasing APC, AP, and GA rates reduced the time from seedling emergence to the adequate transplanting stage. The best results were found when using APC at the rates of 300-400 mg.L [sup-], which resulted in shortening the time for adequate transplant production by 26% as compared to untreated plants.
