Effect of plant density and mother plant nutrition on flower and corm production in Gladiolus cv. American Beauty

Effect of spacing (S₁, 30 × 10 cm, S₂ 30 × 20 cm, S₃ 30 × 30 cm) and four fertilizer levels (F₁ 75:45:45; F₂100:60:60; F₃125:75:75; F₄150:90:90 kg NPK/ha) were studied in gladiolus cv. American Beauty. The data revealed that wider spacing of 30 x 30 cm (S₃) was resulted in superior quality flowers and corms. The spike length, flower diameter and marketable spikes were maximum with a spacing of 30 × 30 cm (S₃). Among the fertilizers levels the application of 150 :90: 90 NPK kg/ha (F₄) resulted in significantly higher number of marketable spikes/m² and better corm qualities. The present investigation concludes higher monetary net returns (Rs. 12,61,600) and higher B.C. ratio with a treatment combination of 30 × 30 cm spacing (S₃) and 150:90:90 NPK kg/ha (F₄)in gladiolus for flower and corm production.