Evaluation and variability studies in gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) under Bundelkhand conditions

An experiment was carried out to evaluate twelve varieties of gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) for economically important traits under Bundelkhand conditions of Uttar Pradesh during the year 2016-17. Results revealed that variety Snow Princess took minimum days to spike emergence (88.67 days) and opening of first floret (107.33 days). Plant height (102.65 cm), spike length (68.10 cm) and rachis length (52.27 cm) also recorded maximum in Snow Princess. Number of florets per spike was found maximum in Nicole (15.47) whereas floret size was recorded maximum in Fidelio (10.70 cm). General mean was found maximum for days taken to opening of first floret (110.33). Moderate values for PCV and GCV were recorded in rachis length (19.97 and 15.90). However, maximum heritability value was recorded in floret size (78.96%).