Response of N, P and K on Vegetative Growth, Flowering and Corm Production in Gladiolus Under Mango Orchard

Investigations were carried out to study the effect of fertilizer levels on vegetative growth, flowering and corm production attributes in gladiolus cv. White Friendship under mango orchard. Significantly maximum number of leaves per plant and number of florets per spike remaining open at a time, were recorded with treatment N₅₀ P₂₅K₂₅ g/m², whereas significantly maximum plant height was obtained by application of N₄₀ P₂₀ K₂₀ g/m². Treatment N₁₀P₅K₅ g/m² advanced the time for showing colour in the first floret. Application of N₄₀P₂₀K₂₀ g/m² significantly increased spike length, number of florets per spike, diameter of first floret, life of spike as well as durability of whole spike under field and thus found as optimal dose for these floral characters. A gradual, steady and significant increase in corms produced per plant, corm size and weight as well as number of cormels per plant was observed with increasing fertilizer levels recording highest values at N₅₀P₂₅K₂₅ g/m².