Effect of Growing Conditions on Growth, Flower Yield and Vase Characters of Gladiolus Varieties

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to observe the performance of gladiolus varieties during May to October (first season) and November to April (second season), under two growing conditions. The three gladiolus varieties namely ‘Oscar’, ‘Summer Sunshine’ and ‘White Prosperity’, were grown as per KAU recommendation, both in open field and naturally ventilated polyhouse. The study clearly indicated that growing condition, season and genotype had significant influence on vegetative as well as floral characters of gladiolus. The vegetative characters like plant height, number of leaves and leaf area were better in polyhouse grown plants, during both seasons. Early spike, shorter duration from spike emergence to opening and longer blooming period were noticed in polyhouse grown plants. Total duration of the crop was shorter in polyhouse during both seasons. Spike length, rachis length, number of florets per spike, floret size and number of florets opened at a time were better in polyhouse grown plants, during both seasons. Polyhouse grown plants recorded significantly more vase life, during both seasons. Corm yield were maximum in plants grown in polyhouse. Among the varieties, ‘Summer Sunshine’ had better performance with respect to vegetative, spike and vase characters, compared to other varieties, both in polyhouse and open field. The results showed that spike qualities, as well as corm yield, can be enhanced by polyhouse cultivation. It was also noticed that November planting was found to be better than May planting, in order to obtain quality spikes as well as good corm yield in gladiolus under Vellanikkara conditions.