Effect of foliar sprays of bioregulators on growth and flowering in gladiolus

Effect of different plant growth regulator sprays (GA₃, TIBA, CPPU and BR) on growth and flowering of two gladiolus cultivars Darshan and Dhiraj was investigated for two consecutive years, 2008–09 and 2009–10. Growth regulators weres prayed at 3^rd and 6^th leafstage. Cv. Darshan differed significantly with cv. Dhiraj in respect to plant height, leaf area and flowered earlier. GA₃ 150 ppm followed by brassinosteroid (BR) 10 ppm recorded maximun plant height, number of leaves and leaf area during vegetative growth and resulted in earlier flowering. TIBA 100 ppm, TIBA 50 ppm and control recorded significantly minimwn leaf area and showed delayed flowering. Cv. Dhiraj recorded maximun percentage of plants flowered than the cv. Darshan. Cv. Darshan recorded significantly highest spike length and inter floret length and minimum days to wilting of spike over the cv. Dhiraj. Cv. Dhiraj was significantly superior over cv. Darshan in respect of number of florets per spike and longevity of spike. Maximum spike length and weight, number of florets per spike and spike field life were recorded with GA₃ 150ppm. Lowest values in respect of flower parameters werere corded with TIBA treatments and control.