Journal of Basic and Applied Research International

The present investigation was conducted at the Horticulture Complex, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) to evaluate the integrated effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR – Pseudomonas fluorescens), and micronutrients (ZnSO₄ + borax) on reducing panicle malformation and improving floral health in mango cv. Amrapali. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications and 27 treatment combinations comprising three levels of PGPR (0%, 0.5%, and 1%), NAA (0, 20, and 40 ppm), and micronutrients (0%, 0.5%, and 1%). Results revealed that the integrated application of 1% PGPR, 40 ppm NAA, and 1% micronutrients (P₂N₂M₂) was most effective in minimizing malformation, recording the lowest number of malformed panicles (1.88/m²) and the least malformation percentage (9.71%), while also producing the highest number of healthy panicles (15.97/m²). In contrast, the untreated control (P₀N₀M₀) exhibited the maximum malformation (3.94/m²) and the minimum healthy panicles (11.63/m²). The superior performance of P₂N₂M₂ can be attributed to NAA-induced hormonal balance, PGPR-mediated suppression of Fusarium spp., and improved reproductive physiology through Zn and B supplementation. The study demonstrates that the combined foliar application of NAA, PGPR, and micronutrients generates a synergistic effect, significantly reducing panicle malformation and enhancing floral health, thereby offering a sustainable and effective strategy for improving productivity in mango cv. Amrapali.