Corm and cormeJ production in gladiolus as affected by spike removal and K application

There was greater variation in number and weight of corms and cormels and total weight was observed among the 10 varieties. Legend produced significantly greater number of corms than any other varieties. Vickilin, White Enchantress, Chantler, Australian Fair and Pusa Suhagin were, however, on par and intermediate in number of corms/plant. The corms weight/plant was also significantly higher in Chantler, White Enchantress, Legend and Vickilin than others. During 1995–96, White Enchantress and Vickilin produced significantly higher number and weight of corms than others. The corms' weight/plant was significantly higher with increasing dose of K (200 kg K₂O/ha), although the number of corms remained on par in both the doses of K. There was non significant difference in corms' number/plant among the spike removal treatments during 1994–95, but it was significant during 1995–96 when S₁ treatment proved superior to others. Moreover, the corm weight/plant improved significantly in all the spike removal treatments except the control. The spike removal treatments S₃ and S₁ also contributed higher economic return than the control.