Plant growth regulators (PGRs) serve as essential instruments for enhancing agricultural productivity in cucurbit vegetables, which account for roughly 5 % of vegetable cultivation in India. This review comprehensively examines how primary PGR categories including auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, abscisic acid, brassinosteroids and triacontanol influence the physiological processes and crop performance of economically significant cucurbit species. Evidence indicates that targeted PGR deployment effectively controls floral sex differentiation, with ethylene increasing female flower formation and gibberellins promoting male flower development, thus providing viable approaches for improving crop yields. Research demonstrates that auxins enhance root system development and facilitate seedless fruit formation, whereas cytokinins delay plant aging and optimise nutrient distribution within plants. Additionally, brassinosteroids and triacontanol exhibit potential for strengthening plant resilience under adverse conditions and boosting photosynthetic capacity. Detailed analysis of studies involving cucumber, watermelon, bottle gourd, muskmelon and bitter gourd indicates that PGR responses vary considerably based on application dosage, developmental stage during treatment and cultivar characteristics. This review synthesises optimal PGR utilisation protocols for major cucurbit crops while identifying research priorities for future studies. The findings offer scientifically validated guidance for producers and scientists aiming to enhance yield potential, produce quality and input efficiency in cucurbit vegetable cultivation.
