PHOSPHORUS INCREASES GROWTH AND FLOWER PRODUCTION OF GLADIOLUS (GLADIOLUS GRANDIFLORA L.)

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is a key mineral for growth and flower production of gladiolus. An experiment was conducted at the Field Laboratory of Khulna University with four P levels (0, 150, 300, 450 kg ha-1) and three gladiolus variety (Kolmilota, Red Beauty, White Queen) to investigate the effect of phosphorus and variety on growth and flower production of gladiolus. The experiment was set out in randomized complete block design following three replications. Phosphorus increased growth, flowering, corm and cormel production of gladiolus. The highest number of spike (81111 ha-1) was obtained from the 150 kg P ha-1 and the lowest (69444 ha-1) from control (no P). The highest yields of corm (5.244 t ha-1) and cormel (2.578 t ha-1) were recorded from 450 kg P and 300 kg P, respectively while the lowest yields of corm (5.111 t ha-1) and cormel (1.861 t ha-1) from control treatment. The highest corm and cormel yields were obtained from White Queen (5.258 t ha-1) and Kolmilota (2.430 t ha-1), respectively. Both the variety White Queen and phosphorus level 450 kg ha-1 resulted higher net return and benefit cost ratio suggesting cultivation of White Queen with 450 kg P ha-1 for better production of gladiolus.