Flower and corm production of gladiolus as affected by boron and zinc

Abstract

Abstract : The research was conducted at the Floriculture Field of the Horticulture Research Centre of BARI, Gazipur during 2012-13 to find but the optimum dose of B and Zn for maximizing flower and corms yield. The result revealed that B and Zn application exerted positive response to the growth, floral and corm characters of Gladiolus. It was also noted that B and Zn both either in single or in combination exerted tremendous effect on the yield and quality of gladiolus. The sixteen treatment combinations included in the study noted that B and Zn at the rate of B2 0 Zn3 0 kg ha-1 along with blanket dose of N200 P50 K1J0 kg and CD 5 t/ha'1 exhibited the best performance in flower and corm production and stretched the vase life of gladiolus flower. The studied parameters like plant height (63.4 cm), number of leaves (9.5) , length of spike (103.0 cm) and length of rachis (57.0 cm) significantly responded to the combined application of boron and zinc at the rate of B10 and Zn30 kg/ha respectively as compared to other treatment combinations. Floral characters like floret number (14), vase life (14 days) and flowers yield (230000/ha) as well as corm character like number of corm (1.6) , number of cormel (12.5), corm weight (28.5 g) and 10 connel weight (35.0 g) also significantly influenced by treatment (B^Zn^kg ha1) which was markedly different over rest of treatment combinations.