Effect of plant growth regulators and biostimulants on growth and flowering of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. American Beauty

Gladiolus is one of the most important bulbous plants valued in gardens for its beautiful flower spikes available in different colours with attractive shape and excellent keeping quality. Though, this crop requires a mild climatic condition which exists in most part of the India it is cultivated in few states that too in certain pockets. In Tamil Nadu, this crop can be extended in other areas where mild climatic conditions occur provided the agro-techniques. Besides these agro-techniques, crop management practices like application of growth regulators and bio fertilizers need to be studied to increase the quality of spike and production of daughter corms when the crop is introduced in a new locale. In general the plant growth regulators play an important role and are being used for breaking dormancy and production of quality corms and spikes in gladiolus. The plants were treated with two plant growth regulators at two different combinations viz., GA₃ @ 100 ppm and Cycocel @ 500 ppm in combination with Humic acid @ 5 kg ha^–1, Arbuscular Mycocrhizo fungi @ 5 Kg ha^–1 and Azospirillum @ 4 kg ha^–1. Application of GA₃ (100 ppm) in combination with organic source of nutrients viz., HA @ 5 Kg ha^–1 in combination of AM fungi @ 4 Kg ha^–1 and Azospirillum @ 4 Kg ha^–1 enhanced growth and flowering characters of Gladiolus cv. American Beauty.