Assessment of Vegetative, Floral and Corm Characteristics in Gladiolus Genotype at Malepatan, Pokhara, Nepal

Abstract

Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandifloras L.), recognized for its bright, distinctively textured blossoms, is first commercially grown cut flower in Nepal. A study was carried out to assess vegetative, floral, and corm characteristics in gladiolus genotypes in Maltepatan, Pokhara. Twelve genotypes namely NGRV0130 (ARSDG-04), RARSLG-014-1.1, RARSLG-014-1.11, RARSLG-014-2.8, RARSLG-014-3.10(A), RARSLG-014-3.11, RARSLG-014-6.8, RARSLG-014-6.12, RARSLG-014-6.13, RARSLG-014-7.27(A), RARSLG-014-8.22, RARSLG-014-9.10 were evaluated from March 02-August 07, 2022. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block design with three replications. The crop geometry was maintained at 50 cm × 28.5 cm in a four-meter square plot containing twenty-eight corms per plot. The genotype RARSLG-014-3.11 was found earliest on days to 50% sprouting, spike initiation, and floret opening. The genotype RARSLG-014-6.12 was noted to have maximum number of florets per spike and number of spikes per hill, longest rachis length, and a maximum number of cormels. Similarly, the genotype RARSLG-014-1.11 was a promising genotype in having a maximum number of corms. The longest length of the spike (140.66 cm) was found for genotype RARSLG-014-6.8.