Effect of bioregulators on vegetative growth, flowering and corm production in gladiolus cv. Candyman

A field study on the effect of NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) @100 & 200 ppm, GA3 (Gibberellic acid) @ 100 & 200 ppm, BAP (Benzyl amino purine) @ 25 & 50 ppm and Panchgavya (5 & 10%) on growth, flowering and corm production in gladiolus cv. Candyman was carried out at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya during 2005–06. Uniform sized (4–4.5 cm) corms of gladiolus cv. Candyman were soaked in different concentration of bioregulators for 24 hours before planting. Results revealed that maximum leaves/plant (7.00), florets/spike (10.55), spike diameter (0.80), rachis length (41.90 cm), corm weight (105.78 cm), cormels/plant (20.85) and propagation coefficient (525.25%) was recorded with Panchgavya (5%). Significantly maximum plant height (109.06 cm), leaf breadth (3.07 cm), spike length (92.61 cm), length of first internode (5.44) and corm diameter (7.79 cm) was recorded when corms were treated with Panchgavya (10%). Corm soaking with GA₃ (200 ppm) resulted in early first floret showing colour (84.52 days), full opening of first florets (88.74 days) and full opening of last floret (95.34 days). However, BAP (25 ppm) increased the cormels weight/plant (20.84 g) and BAP (50 ppm) increased the number of side shoots/plant (1.98).