Flowering and nutritional status of Gladiolus hybridus L. 'Black Velvet' following gibberellin treatment

Abstract

Flowering and nutritional status in Gladiolus hybridus L. ‘Black Velvet’ were assessed following gibberellic acid treatment (GA<sub>3</sub>). Treatment were applied to corm (12–14 diameter) by soaking for 30 min in water solutions of GA<sub>3</sub> at 100, 350 and 600 mg/dm<sup>3 </sup>with a control consisting of soaking-in water. All GA<sub>3</sub> treatments inhibited elongation of inflorescence shoots and stimulated spike elongation. None of the tested concentrations affected the number of developing flowers in the spike, except for the 100 mg/dm<sup>3</sup> in the 2nd year of the study. All GA<sub>3</sub> treatments stimulated calcium uptake, but had no effect on the uptake of other macronutrients. All the GA<sub>3</sub> treatments increased manganese content in leavesbud did not affect copper content. GA<sub>3</sub> at 600 mg/dm<sup>3</sup> stimulated uptake of iron and boron at 600 mg/dm<sup>3</sup> but inhibited both at lower concentrations. Zinc uptake was stimulated at 100 mg/dm<sup>3 </sup>but inhibited at higher concentration.