Evaluation of Gladiolus Cultivars for Cut Flower Production Under Open Field Conditions

Gladiolus, a widely cultivated ornamental crop is valued for its vibrant spikes and adaptability to diverse climatic conditions. This study evaluated eight gladiolus varieties: Punjab Hybrid, Joshka, Chandavar, Punjab Dawn, Punjab Home, Souvik Biscuits, Pusa Suhagin and Arka Naveen under open-field conditions in the Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka. The experiment, conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, assessed key growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and leaf area, along with floral traits including spike number, spike length, rachis length, floret count and floret diameter. Significant variability was observed among the varieties for all parameters. Arka Naveen recorded the tallest plants (96.4 cm) and largest leaf area (131.84 cm²), while Souvik Biscuits exhibited the highest number of leaves (12) and longest leaves (53.6 cm). In floral traits, Punjab Hybrid achieved the highest spike production (2.28 spikes per plant) whereas Souvik Biscuits recorded the longest rachis (42 cm). The maximum floret diameter (7.3 cm) was observed in Pusa Suhagin, highlighting its potential for aesthetic and commercial applications. The findings revealed substantial genetic variability among the gladiolus varieties, with Arka Naveen, Souvik Biscuits and Chandavar demonstrating superior growth and floral attributes. These results provide valuable insights for breeders and cultivators, offering a foundation for selecting high-performing varieties suitable for ornamental and commercial purposes. The study underscores the potential for optimizing gladiolus production in agro-climatic zones like Karnataka.