Effect of different soil compositions and growth conditions on the corm production of Gladiolus grandiflorus L.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Gladiolus grandiflorus L. is widely grown in most regions of Pakistan. However, propagules production per unit area is not sufficient. Therefore, pot experiments were undertaken at the Centre of Plant Biodiversity, University of Peshawar during 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 with the aim of investigating the effect of different soil compositions (substrates) and growth conditions on corms and cormels production. The experiment was performed according to two factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), repeated twice. For the first time four substrates, i.e. Clay+Silt (2:1), Farmyard manure (FYM)+Clay+Silt (1:1:1), Poultry manure (PM)+Clay+Silt (1:2:2) and PM+FYM+Clay+Silt (1:1:2:2), were used at different growth conditions, i.e. Control, Single lath, Double lath, Plastic and Double lath+Plastic, to explore their effects on corms yield. The FYM+Clay+Silt substrate significantly stimulated number of leaves per plant, leaf area, chlorophyll content, spikes emergence, spike length, plant height, flowers opening, number of florets per spike, number of corms and cormels per plant, fresh weight and diameter of corms in both seasons. The PM+Clay+Silt substrate had shown negative results in the first season. However, this noxious effect was minimised during the second trial. Among growth conditions, Single lath shade significantly enhanced spike length and all corm yielding parameters. Thus, treatments of FYM+Clay+Silt (1:1:1) and Single lath shade were found to be effectual in obtaining the maximum number of corms and cormels of Gladiolus grandiflorus L. in the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar.