Influence of corm size and spacing on growth and yield of gladiolus under Nilgiris condition

Abstract

Gladiolus is one of the most popular ornamental bulbous plants grown in many parts of the world as cut flower and bedding plant for its bewitching flowers. It is an emerging cut flower with enormous potential to be used extensively. The present study was conducted to standardize corm size and spacing in order to obtain quality produce to meet the quality standards. The corms of gladiolus cv. White Prosperity of three size group (01-10, 11-20, 21-30 g) were planted in three spacing (40 × 20, 30 × 30, 30 × 20 cm²) and data were recorded on vegetative, flowering and corm production. The research revealed the days taken for 80% emergence of the crop, plant height at flowering (cm), leaf length at flowering (cm), rachis length (cm), floret length (cm), number of florets/ spike, no. of corms/plant, average corm weight (g), average corm diameter (cm) were found superior in gladiolus corm of size 21-30 g planted at a spacing of 40 x 20 cm² under Nilgiris condition.