Performance of gladiolus varieties under agro-climatic conditions of Goa

Present studies were taken up in summer, rainy and winter seasons during 2004–05 at ICAR Research Complex, Old Goa to find out suitable varieties for year round cultivation. Trials were laid out in randomized block design with three replications and eight treatments. Results were significant among the seasons, varieties and between varieties and seasons. However, differences among the seasons were found non significant for leaf length, leaf width, rachis length and floret size. Plant height and number of leaves perplant were observed to be maximum in winter season. The variety Rose Supreme recorded the maximum plant height (78.05cm) whereas the minimum (62.38cm) was observed in variety Dhiraj. Number of leaves per plant (11.88) noted in Dhiraj was significantly superior to other varieties. Flowering was early (66.7days) in winter, while it was late (70 days) in summer season. More spike length (114.09cm) and number of florets per spike (14) were observed during winter season. Longest spikes (123.76cm) were produced in Wigs Sensation. Maximum rachis length (52.01cm) and highest number of florets per spike (17.2) were observed in variety Mascagni. Both corm size (6.60cm) and weight (95.87g) were found maximum in Wigs Sensation. Among the seasons, maximum corm size and corm weight were recorded during rainy season. Based on the performance, varieties Mascagni, Wigs Sensation and Rose Supreme are recommended for commercial production round the year.