Application of Biostimulants and Gibberellic Acid Improves the Growth, Flowering and Corm Production in Gladiolus grandiflorus L. المعاملة بالمنشطات الحیویة وحمض الجبریللیک تحسن من نمو وازهار وانتاج الکورمات فی نبات الجلادیولس

Abstract

Improving the growth and productivity of flower bulbs via biostimulants is a very imperative topic. Therefore two field experiments were conducted during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons to investigate the efficacy of moringa leaf extract (MLE), seaweed and/or GA3 treatments on improving the growth, flowering and corm production of gladiolus. MLE was extracted and diluted at a ratio of 1:30 (v:v). Seaweed was applied at 1g/L. Moreover, the applied concentrations of GA3 were 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L. The growth characters and flowering attributes were significantly improved compared with the control due to MLE or seaweed as a solely treatment or even in combination with GA3 concentrations in both experimental seasons. The productivity of corm and cormlets was also enhanced by using both biostimulants and/or GA3 application. Furthermore, the chemical analysis indicate that N, P, K, total chlorophyll and total carbohydrate content were increased in gladiolus leaves treated with MLE or seaweed and/or GA3 treatments in both seasons. Conclusively, MLE, seaweeds and/or GA3 applications enhanced the growth characters flowering attributes and corm production of gladiolus. The most effective treatment was MLE and GA3 at 100 mg/L. MLE and seaweeds may be applied as a promise and ecofriendly plant growth stimulants to modulate the growth and productivity of gladiolus.