~ 39 ~ International Journal of Horticulture and Food Science 2025; 7(7): 39-46 E-ISSN: 2663-1067 P-ISSN: 2663-1075 NAAS Rating: 4.74 www.hortijournal.com IJHFS 2025; 7(7): 39-46 Received: 17-04-2025 Accepted: 20-05-2025 Dharvi P Madhani M.Sc. Student, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India KD Patel Rtd. Principal, Polytechnic in Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India Rutu Sadare M.Sc. Student, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India Kiran K Jakhotra M.Sc. Student, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India Corresponding Author: Dharvi P Madhani M.Sc. Student, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India Response of GA 3 , NAA and Ethrel on yield, quality and economics of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) cv. GRG-2 Dharvi P Madhani, KD Patel, Rutu Sadare and Kiran K Jakhotra DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33545/26631067.2025.v7.i7a.335 Abstract The experiment entitled “Response of GA₃, NAA, and Ethrel on Yield, Quality, and Economics of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) cv. GRG-2 (Gujarat Ridge Gourd-2)” was carried out during the summer season of 2024 at the Instructional Farm, Jambuvadi, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Junagadh, Gujarat. The study utilized the ridge gourd variety GRG-2, a high-yielding cultivar released by JAU, and was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments included three concentrations each of NAA (70, 85, and 100 ppm), GA₃ (30, 45, and 60 ppm), Ethrel (100, 150, and 200 ppm), and an untreated control. Foliar applications of plant growth regulators were administered at the critical 2-4 leaf stage. The results revealed significant differences among the treatments with respect to yield and its contributing traits. Among all treatments, the application of Ethrel at 200 ppm (T9) emerged as the most effective, resulting in the highest fruit length (28.77 cm), fruit girth (11.56 cm), fruit weight (132.64 g), number of fruits per plant (22.46), fruit yield per plant (2.97 kg), fruit yield per plot (28.65 kg), and total yield (10.23 t/ha). In terms of economic returns, T9 also recorded the maximum gross return of ₹3,06,900 per hectare, net return of ₹1,85,415 per hectare, and a benefit-cost ratio of 2.54, indicating superior profitability. In contrast, the untreated control (T10) consistently recorded the lowest performance across all measured parameters. While numerical improvements in some quality attributes, such as total soluble solids and sugar content, were observed under Ethrel treatments, the differences were statistically non-significant, suggesting that the application of GA₃, NAA, and Ethrel had limited influence on the internal quality of the fruits. Overall, the study concludes that foliar application of Ethrel at 200 ppm during the early vegetative stage significantly enhances the yield and economic returns of ridge gourd cultivation without negatively affecting fruit quality. Keywords: Ridge gourd, GA3, NAA, ethrel, ppm, yield, quality, economics 1. Introduction Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) is a diploid plant species (2n = 26) and is primarily known as a cross-pollinated vegetable crop. Belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, this species traces its origin back to India and plays a significant role in traditional agriculture. The Cucurbitaceae family itself is quite diverse, comprising around 118 genera and approximately 825 known species. In the context of Indian horticulture, cucurbits contribute to nearly 5.6% of the nation’s total vegetable production, underscoring their economic and nutritional importance. Ridge gourd, in particular, is mainly cultivated during the summer months but exhibits year-round cultivation in certain regions-especially in the northeastern parts of India-due to favorable climatic conditions. Characterized by its climbing or trailing growth habit, ridge gourd produces tender, elongated fruits that are widely consumed in household diets across the country. Its culinary versatility and mild flavor make it a staple in many traditional dishes. Notably, there exists a high level of genetic diversity within this species, particularly concerning traits such as fruit shape, size, and length. This variability presents valuable opportunities for crop improvement and breeding programs targeting better yield and adaptability. The genus Luffa is also renowned for its unique non-food utility. Mature and dried fruits of certain Luffa species are processed into natural sponges-commonly referred to as “loofahs.” These fibrous sponges are used extensively for personal hygiene, household cleaning, and a