EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON PLANT GROWTH AND … · 2018-12-20 · 3 CERTIFICATE II This is to certify that the thesis report entitled, “Effect of growth regulators on plant

EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON

PLANT GROWTH AND CORMEL PRODUCTION

OF GLADIOLUS

Thesis

Submitted to the Punjab Agricultural University

in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE in

FLORICULTURE AND LANDSCAPING (Minor Subject: Botany)

By

Manpreet Kalsi

(L-2014-A-64-M)

Department of Floriculture and Landscaping

College of Agriculture PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

LUDHIANA – 141004

2016

2

CERTIFICATE I

This is to certify that the thesis entitled, “Effect of growth regulators on plant

growth and cormel production of gladiolus” submitted for the degree of M.Sc., in the

subject of Master of Science (Minor subject: Botany) of the Punjab Agricultural

University, Ludhiana, is a bonafide research work carried out by Manpreet Kalsi (Admn.

No. L-2014-A-64-M) under my supervision and that no part of this thesis has been submitted

for any other degree.

This assistance and help received during the course of investigation have been fully

acknowledged.

_____________________________ Major Advisor (Dr. (Mrs.) K.K. Dhatt) Senior Floriculturist Department of Floriculture and Landscaping Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana-141004

3

CERTIFICATE II

This is to certify that the thesis report entitled, “Effect of growth regulators on plant

growth and cormel production of gladiolus”submitted by Manpreet Kalsi (Admn. No.

L-2014-A-64-M) to the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the degree of M.Sc. in the subject of Floriculture & Landscaping (Minor

subject: Botany) has been approved by the Student’s Advisory Committee along with Head

of the Department after an oral examination on the same.

_____________________________ _______________________

(Dr. (Mrs.) K. K. Dhatt) (Dr. Kanwar Pal Singh) Major Advisor External Examiner

Professor & Principal Scientist Division of Floriculture & Landscaping I.A.R.I., PUSA, New Delhi.

___________________________ (Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt) Head of the Department

___________________________ (Dr. (Mrs.) Neelam Grewal) Dean Postgraduate Studies

4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Firstly, I owe my debt to God for showering ultimate blessings on me to see the

lining in very dark cloud and helping me to become able to present this humble

contribution to the knowledge of science.

I express my insufficiency to trace out appropriate words to express my deep sense

of gratitude to my esteemed Major Advisor, Dr. (Mrs.) K.K. Dhatt, Senior Floriculturist who

nested me by showering valuable guidance, constant encouragement and benevolent help

rendered throughout the study without which it would have been impossible to accomplish

the present work. I have real appreciation and regards for her warm, friendly behaviour,

motherly affection and sense of forgiveness throughout my association with her. It was my

proud privilege and unforgettable experience to work under the supervision of such a

dedicated guide.

I express my deep sense of gratitude to the respected members of my advisory

committee. This thesis would not have been possible without the help, immaculate

guidance, constructive reviews and continuous support of Dr. Nirmaljit Kaur, Senior

Botanist, Dr. R.K. Dubey, Assistant Professor of Landscaping, Dr. H.S. Grewal, Senior

Floriculturist.

I feel elated in expressing thanks to Dr. (Mrs.) K.K. Dhatt, Senior Floriculturist,

Department of Floriculture and Landscaping for helping during tenure of my study.

I find no words to acknowledge in so formal manner the unending patience,

encouraging moral support, affection and inspiration rendered by my respected parents,

Mr. Biram Lal Kalsi and Mrs. Harbans Kaur Kalsi and my uncles and aunts. Today what I

am, I owe to them and my family as their selfless sacrifices will remain indelible in my life.

My words of acknowledgement will never convey the depth of my feelings for my sweet

sister, Jaspreet Kalsi.

Loving thanks to my dear friends, Gagandeep, Ravneet and Manveer as we

mutually engaged in making sense of the various challenges we faced and in providing

encouragement to each other at those times when it seemed impossible to continue.

I am also indebted to the respondents for their cooperation and generous response

during data collection. In the end, I am thankful to all those who may not have been

mentioned but are not forgotten.

Needless to say, errors and omissions if any are all mine.

Place…………………. ……………..........…………….

Date…………………... (MANPREET KALSI)

5

Title of the Thesis : Effect of growth regulators on plant growth and cormel production of gladiolus.

Name of the Student : Manpreet Kalsi and Admission No. (L-2014-A-64-M) Major Subject : Floriculture and Landscaping Minor Subject : Botany Name and Designation : Dr. (Mrs.) K.K. Dhatt of Major Advisor Senior Floriculturist Degree to be awarded : M.Sc. (Floriculture and Landscaping) Year of award of Degree : 2016 Total Pages in Thesis : 55 + VITA Name of University : Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana- 141 004 Punjab, India

ABSTRACT

The present investigation entitled “Effect of growth regulators on plant growth

and cormel production of gladiolus ” was undertaken in the experimental field area of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during 2015-2016. The cormels of four varieties of gladiolus namely CPG, Punjab Glance, Sylvia and Novalux were treated with gibberellic acid (50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) and benzyladenine (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 ppm) as pre planting dip treatment for 12 hours. The analysis of variance was conducted as per factorial randomized block design. The minimum time to sprouting (11.83 days) and maximum sprouting percent (94.08%) of cormels was recorded with gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by BA 125 ppm. The maximum plant height (28.05 cm), leaf length (23.20 cm), leaf width (2.24 cm), leaf area (57.26 cm2) and number of leaves per plant (4.56) was recorded under gibberellic acid 200 ppm. The maximum number of cormels per plant was recorded with BA 125 ppm (3.34) followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.62). The maximum cormel weight was recorded with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (8.87 g) which is significantly at par with BA 125 ppm (8.37 g). Maximum diameter of cormel was observed with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.06 cm) followed by BA 125 ppm (2.04 cm). . Key words: gladiolus, growth regulators, cormels

________________________ _____________________ Signature of Major Advisor Signature of the Student

6

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7

CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE NO.

I INTRODUCTION 1-3

II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 4-14

III MATERIALS AND METHODS 15-18

IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 19-47

V SUMMARY 48-50

REFERENCES 51-55

VITA

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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO.

TITLE PAGE NO.

4.1.1 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on days to sprouting of cormels in gladiolus

20

4.1.2 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on sprouting % in gladiolus

22

4.1.3 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on plant height in gladiolus

24

4.1.4 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on final plant height in gladiolus

27

4.1.5 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatments of cormels on leaf length in gladiolus

30

4.1.6 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on leaf width in gladiolus

32

4.1.7 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on leaf area in gladiolus

34

4.1.8 Effect of pre planting growth regulators of cormels treatments on no of leaves per plant in gladiolus

37

4.1.9 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment on no of cormels in gladiolus

39

4.1.10 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on diameter of cormel in gladiolus

42

4.1.11 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on cormel weight in gladiolus

43

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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO.

TITLE PAGE NO.

1. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on Plant height in gladiolus

25

2. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on Final plant height in gladiolus

28

3. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on leaf area in gladiolus

35

4. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment on no of cormels in gladiolus

40

5. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on cormel weight in gladiolus

44

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LIST OF PLATES

PLATE NO.

TITLE Between pages

1. Field view of gladiolus 16-17

2. Cormels of gladiolus varieties 18-19

3. Growth parameters of gladiolus varieties 24-25

4. Growth parameters of gladiolus varieties 36-37

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Gladiolus is an important bulbous flower and plays an important role as cut flower

both in domestic and international market because of its magnificent inflorescence, wide array

of colors, shape, size and keeping quality. It ranks second in Netherlands and other European

markets for use as cut flower (Hanks 2015).

Gladiolus takes its name from latin word ‘Gladius’ because of sword like shape,

therefore this is also known as ‘sword lily’. It belongs to family Iridaceace and sub-family

Ixioideae. Iridaceace family contains some 106 genera, containing mostly bulbous

ornamentals. There are about 250 recorded species mostly scattered in Natal and Cape of

good hope in Republic of South Africa. Certain species are also native to other countries viz.,

Ethopia, Rhodesia, Malawi, Mascrene Islands, Middle East and Armenia and caucascus

region of USSR. South African species are said to be mostly diploid, Europian species are

tetraploid and those found in Russia or at higher elevations are higher polyploids. The basic

chromosome number in gladiolus is n=15. The modern garden gladioli have developed

through hybridization involving about two dozen species of its originated from South Africa

(Randhawa and Mukhopadhyay, 2004). Gladiolus was brought into cultivation towards the

end of sixteenth century and is ideal for cut flower production, garden decoration and as pot

plant for indoor and outdoor decoration. Gladiolus is a herbeaceaus plant, consisting of 2

sheath leaves and 8 to 9 foliar leaves, which develops from the apical bud of corm. It bears

fascinating spikes with large number of florets which open in acropetal succession, one by

one in varying sizes.

In Punjab, demand of gladiolus is increasing day by day due to its florets of bright

colour and longer shelf life for local as well as distance consumption. Gladiolus is planted

during September-November under North Indian conditions and accordingly flowers are

available from December-April. Gladiolus is commercially propagated through corms,

usually a single bud sprouts from a mother corm but sprouting of multiple buds favors an

increase in production of propagules. Gladiolus is propagated by seed and vegetative means

and in case of commercial cultivation vegetative means are employed using corms and

cormels.

Cormels grow in clusters on stolons between mother and daughter corms, there is a

competition for assimilates for the formation of flower and development of corm and cormels.

As new corm starts developing, old corm shrivel and disintegrate and its contents are utilised

in flower production, this process replaces old mother corm with new daughter corm in each

season. After flowering, the foliage continues manufacturing the food materials which are

stored in corms and several cormels (Hartmann et al 1997).

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The sole factor related to flowering is the corm size i.e. bigger the corm better the

flower quality. Smaller cormels take 2-3 years for physiological maturity and to reach

definitive corm size to be used commercially for quality spikes. The cormels upto (2.0-2.5

cm) and medium sized corms upto (4.0-4.5 cm) are best propagation material (De and

Dhiman, 2002) and produced flower of superior quality are produced when big cormels and

medium sized corms are used as planting material (Remotti et al 2002), therefore, the most

important factor for quality flower production is the corm size.

Plant growth regulators are the organic chemical compounds which modify or

regulate physiological processes in an appreciable measure by breaking dormancy of

gladiolus corms and stimulating cell division and cell elongation in plants. The application of

plant growth regulators is one of the most important factors in improving the growth, yield

and flower quality (Nuvale et al 2010). GA3 enhance the growth, development and yield of

gladiolus at different concentrations increases the height of plants, number of flowers and

induce early flowering (Uddin et al 2013). Cormels are incapable of producing spikes and are

used for the production of flower grade corms only. Each gladiolus plant produces 1-3 corms

and 8-10 cormels depending upon variety, spacing, depth of planting, temperature and

photoperiod.

The use of different plant growth regulators induces early flowering, enhances plant

growth in terms of plant height, flower number and corm yield in gladiolus (Singh et al 2013)

and many other ornamentals and has become the part of their cultural practices in many

ornamental plants to modify their vegetative and floral traits. There are different application

methods of plant growth regulators including foliar application, pre-plant soaking and

drenching. Soaking of the cormels in solution of plant growth regulators has been considered

as an efficient method for obtaining good results and also have advantages over other

methods in terms of time, labour saving (Ranwala et al 2002) and is now becoming a popular

method among commercial growers (Schnelle et al 2005).

Gibberellic acid has an important role in different plant processes, including seed

germination, stem elongation, leaf expansion and flower development (Olszewski et al 2002)

and was found highly effective for increasing the sprouting percentage of corm, increased

cormel production and cormel size in gladiolus (Padmalatha et al 2013). Benzyladenine is

also a cytokinin and its application is reported in different ornamental bulbous plants

including tulips (de Munk and Gijzenberg, 1977), lilies (Ranwala and Miller, 1998) and

gladiolus (Havale et al 2008).

As the small cormels take 2-3 years to produce flowering grade corms, hence the plant

growth regulators can play a definite role to enhance plant growth and ultimately to shorten

the cycle and increase the cormel production.

Therefore, keeping in view the role of gibberellic acid and benzyladenine, the present

3

study was under taken with following objectives

- To determine the optimum concentration of GA3 and BA for dip treatment of

gladiolus cormels.

- To determine the effect of GA3 and BA on growth and cormel production of

gladiolus.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The relevant literature of the research problem entitled,“ Effect of growth regulators

on plant growth and cormel production of gladiolus ” is reviewed in this chapter as under:-

Arora et al (1992) studied the effect of GA3 (5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/l) on

gladiolus cultivars. Gibberellic acid at 100 mg/l accelerated sprouting of cormels by 4.6, 3.2

and 4.8 days, Cormel weight and diameter were increased by 239.4 and 51.1%. Production of

cormlets was not significantly increased by GA3 although there was an increase in cormel

diameter and weight.

Leena et al (1992) studied effect of foliar application of growth regulators on growth,

flowering and corm yield of gladiolus cultivar Friendship. Growth regulators used in study

were TIBA (150 or 300 ppm), NAA (100 or 200 ppm), CCC (250 or 500 ppm) and GA3 (50

or 100 ppm) as foliar spray at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting. The GA3 100 ppm treatment

resulted in maximum plant growth and earliest flowering. The maximum number and weight

of cormels were obtained with 500 ppm of CCC treatment.

Mahesh and Misra (1993) studied the effect of GA3 (200, 500 and 1000 ppm), BA

(25, 50 and 100 ppm) and IAA (100, 250 and 500 ppm) where sprayed on gladiolus. GA3 200

ppm and BA 50 ppm increased the plant height from 87.39 to 90.57 cm. Treatment with GA3

1000 ppm and IAA 250 ppm increased the no of florets per spike. BA 100 ppm significantly

increased the no of cormels per plant and cormel weight.

Vedprakash and Jha (1998) studied 10 cultivars of gladiolus which were treated with

GA3 at 0, 100 and 150 ppm. GA3 at 150 ppm improved all the traits in gladiolus. The

interactive effect of growth regulator and cultivar further improved the floral characters in

gladiolus.

Jung et al (2000) conducted experiments to study effects of tunic and plant growth

regulators on dormancy breaking and growth of gladiolus cormels and observed that in

cultivar Novalux, dipping in BA ( Benzyladenine ) and BA and GA3 ( Gibberellic acid )

resulted in 100% sprouting and tunic removal reduced number of days to sprouting, however

growth of Novalux was decreased.

Attia (2001) conducted experiments to study the response of Gladiolus grandiflorus

cv. Rose Supreme to gibberellic acid and revealed that application of moderate rates of plant

growth regulators resulted in optimum growth of the crop. Soaking of corms in plant growth

regulators were more effective than foliar spray. The interactions effects between the methods

of application and plant growth regulators were insignificant except for fresh and dry weights

of leaves.

5

Dataram et al (2001) studied the effect of plant growth regulators and observed GA3

100 ppm increased vegetative growth of gladiolus which was maximum in cultivar Friendship

when compared with cultivar American Beauty and Oscar.

Dutt et al (2001) studied the effect of GA3 treatments on the seed germination of

gladiolus hybrids. All the concentrations of GA3 (100, 150 and 200 ppm) and water

treatments significantly increased the percentage of seed germination and reduced the number

of days required for germination compared with water and control.

Chauhan and Chauhan (2002) carried out an experiment to determine the effects of

MH, Alar and IAA on growth and flowering of gladiolus. The treatments enhanced the

number of flowers, spike length, the opening of first basal floret, number of days in between

emergence of spike and blooming of terminal floret and days between blooming of basal

floret and fading of terminal floret as various alar concentrations were very effective.

Kumar et al (2002) studied the effects of GA3 on growth, flowering and corm

production. The number of leaves per shoot, leaf area, plant height, no of florets per spike,

spike length, rachis length were maximum in dipping and spraying at 40+65+90 days after

planting treatment. In addition, the days to sprouting, size of corms at lifting, average weight

of corm per plant and propagation co-efficient increased with dipping and spraying method.

Rajaram et al (2002) studied the effects of BA, ethephon and gibberellic acid on

freshly harvested cormels of three cultivars of gladiolus. The gibberellic acid at 100 mg/l

increased growth of corms and cormels, BA at 25 mg/l influenced the sprouting percentage of

cormels. Along with reducing the dormancy period, the plant growth regulators stimulated

growth and development of corms and cormels.

Gaur et al (2003) studied the effect of GA3 and IAA, both applied at 25, 50,100 or 200

ppm on cv. Eurovision. Higher concentration of GA3 200 ppm and lower concentrations of

IAA increased plant height, number and size of leaves, thickness and width of shoots,

promoted earliness in spike emergence, colour break in first floret and flowering, increased

the length of spike, number of florets per spike, size of florets, longevity of spikes, increased

the vase life of cut flowers and number, weight and diameter of corms and cormels.

Ayan et al (2004) studied effect of GA3 (50, 100, 250 and 500 ppm) and NAA (500,

1000, 2500 and 5000 ppm) on leucojum aestivum L. and revealed that plant growth regulators

treatments had significant effect on plant height, number of leaves per plant, bulb diameter,

bulb height, lateral bulb number per harvested bulb and bulb yield.

Sharma et al (2004) Studied the effect of urea (1.0 and 1.5%), zinc sulphate (0.4 and

0.6%), GA3 (50 and 100 ppm) and NAA (50 and 100 ppm) on growth, flowering and corm

production of gladiolus cv. Friendship. GA3 (100 ppm) and zinc sulphate (0.6%) were found

most effective for enhancing vegetative growth, spike length, number and size of florets,

flowering duration and number of spikes. However, the production as well as the size and

6

weight of corms were significantly improved by NAA (100 ppm).

Sheela et al (2004) studied in vitro bud initiation and shoot multiplication of gladiolus.

The buds were initiated from cormels which were used as source of explant. The cormels

were surface sterilized in (0.8%) mercuric chloride and cultured in MS medium supplemented

with BAP (2.0 mg) and NAA (1.0 mg). Different combinations of growth regulators kinetin

BAP and NAA were tried for further shoot multiplication. MS medium supplemented with

BAP (2.00 mg) and NAA (0.75 mg) gave the highest percentage of shoots.

Rana et al (2005) studied the effect of GA3, spacing and depth of planting on growth,

flowering and corm production parameters in gladiolus cv. Candyman. The treatment

consisted of four concentrations of GA3 (0, 100, 250 and 500 ppm) as foliar spray, three plant

spacing and two depths of corm planting (5 and 10 cm). GA3 100 ppm, resulted in maximum

plant height, number of leaves per plant, length of leaf and corm production.

Patil et al (2005) studied the effect of alar, Malic hydrazide (MH) and mannitol on

growth and storability of micro shoots of gladiolus under in vitro condition. Alar at 40 mg/l

was best in extending the storability of cultures with the least shoot length and highest

percentage recovery. The same concentration of MH delayed bud sprouting and longest

storage period. Mannitol at 2 per cent was most suitable in extending storage period with

good percentage of recovery.

Kumar and Singh (2005) studied the effect of soaking mother corms with plant

growth regulators in gladiolus and revealed that GA3 (50, 100 and 150 ppm) and ethrel (250,

500 and 750 ppm) at higher doses enhanced number of leaves per plant, plant height, days to

spike emergence, flowering duration, number of flowers per spike, spike length, number of

corms per plant, corm diameter and corm.

Barman and Rajni (2006) studied the response of BA, GA3 and thiourea on breaking

dormancy, growth, flowering and multiplication of gladiolus cv. American Beauty. The result

revealed that soaking for 24 hours was more influencing than 12 hours soaking for plant

height, number of days taken to first flower opening, spike length, stalk length, rachis length,

flower diameter, corm weight and number of cormels per plant. All chemicals had significant

effect over control in terms of sprouting, growth, flowering and corm multiplication. Thiourea

was most effective at lower concentrations. Corm multiplication was highest in BA at 75

mg/1.

Devi et al (2006) conducted experiment to determine optimum cultivar and best

growth regulator and reported that NAA at 100 ppm recorded the earliest first floret opening,

the number of corms per plant and corm weight was highest in Jacksonville Gold and when

compared with GA3 maximum corm weight was recorded in Praha cultivar using NAA.

Reddy et al (2006) conducted an experiment to study the flower induction in

gladiolus cormels by application of chemicals cvs. Phule Prerna and Phule Ganesh. Two

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foliar sprays of chemicals viz., gibberellic acid (25 ppm), benzyl adenine (50 ppm), salicylic

acid (100 ppm), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (1%), potassium nitrate (1%) and calcium

nitrate. GA3 treatment delayed flowering and minimum flowering percentage. Phule Ganesh

was found superior in respect of number of corms and Phule Prerna recorded maximum

number of big and small cormels per plot.

Gupta et al (2006) studied the effect of GA3 levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) on

different cultivars (Red Beauty, Jester and Summer Face) on growth, flowering and corm

yield in gladiolus. The result revealed that earliest sprouting (6.54 and 6.82 days) and

maximum plant height (100.47 and 102.39 cm), number of leaves per plant (9.49 and 9.68),

leaf length (85.00 and 82.80 cm) and width (10.96 and 10.23 cm), leaf area (159.22 and

153.82 cm2), spike length (73.96 and 75.45 cm), number of florets per spike (18.01 and

16.46), rachis length (62.85 and 60.47 cm), floret length (13.01 and 12.83 cm), number of

corms per plant (57.16 and 48.22), weight of corms (47.95 and 49.21 g) and vase life (14.33

and 13.70 day) were recorded with GA3 200 ppm.

Sharma et al (2006) conducted experiments to study the effect of gibberellic acid

levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) on different cultivars Red Beauty, Jester, Summer Face and

findings revealed that gibberellic acid significantly affected the growth, flowering, corms

yield, maximum plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, width, leaf area, spike

length, number of florets per spike, rachis length, floret length, number of corms per plant,

weight of corms and vase life were recorded maximum with GA3 at 200 ppm in Red Beauty

cultivar.

Chandrashekar et al (2006) studied the effect of foliar spray of brassinosteroids (BR)

and jasmonic acid (JA) along with traditional growth regulators like GA3, benzyl adenine

(BA) on growth, flowering and corm and cormel production of two gladiolus varieties Jyotsna

and Shabnum. Result revealed that GA3 treatment recorded maximum plant height, number of

leaves and leaf length over other treatments. Jyotsna was superior over Shabnum in respect of

spike length, spike field life and number of days taken for flowering. GA3 and jasmonic acid

increased spike length, number of florets per spike and spike field life over other treatments.

Shabnum was superior in producing more number of big cormels. Corm size, corm weight

and corm volume were maximum in Jyotsna than Shabnum. Foliar sprays of jasmonic acid

and brassinosteroids significantly increased the number of corms and cormels produced per

plot.

Kumar et al (2006) examined cormels of gladiolus to induce flowering in the plants

raised from cormels and two foliar sprays of chemicals viz., gibberellic acid (25 ppm), benzyl

adenine (50 ppm), salicylic acid (100 ppm). Spike length, number of florets per spike, size of

second floret, number of corms and cormels per plot were maximum with salicylic acid.

gibberellic acid treatment significantly delayed flowering and also resulted in minimum

8

flowering percentage. Flowering percentage was significantly high in cv. Phule Ganesh over

cv. Phule Prerna. Cultivar Phule Ganesh was also found superior in respect of number of

corms produced per plot but cv. Phule Prerna recorded maximum number of big and small

cormels per pots.

Baskarn and Misra (2007) studied the effect of plant growth regulators on gladiolus

cv. Pusa Jyotsna using dip and spray methods and recorded maximum number of shoots with

BA at 100 ppm using dip treatment while MH at 500 ppm recorded minimum number of

shoots. Late flowering was recorded with MH at 500 ppm as corm dipping. Highest number

of leaves per plant was obtained by NAA spraying at 250 ppm and TIBA at 500 ppm as dip

had minimum number of leaves.

Singh (2007) studied the effect of growth regulators on growth and development of

cormels in gladiolus using Napthalene acetic acid (NAA), Maleic hydrazide (MH) and

Triidobenzoic acid (TIBA) at different concentrations i.e MH and TIBA at (50, 100, 150 and

200 ppm) and NAA at (500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm). The maximum days to sprouting,

lowest sprouting percentage and maximum number of cormels was observed with TIBA at

200 ppm and maximum size and weight of cormels per plant was observed with MH at 200

ppm.

Ramachandrudu and Thangam (2007) studied the response of plant growth regulators,

coconut water and cow urine on vegetative growth, flowering and corm production in

gladiolus. The maximum plant height was resulted in GA3 150 ppm and minimum in cow

urine. GA3 150 ppm and GA3 100 ppm advanced the flowering while delayed in NAA 100

ppm. GA3 100 ppm and GA3 150 ppm prolonged flowering duration compared to control.

Devadanam et al (2007) studied effect of plant growth regulators on growth and yield

of tuberose and reported that GA3 at 150 ppm as foliar spray at 30, 60 and 90 days after

planting resulted in greatest plant height, number of florets per spike, flower yield per hectare,

number of bulbs per plant, fresh weight of bulbs per hectare and number of spikes per hectare.

Kumar et al (2007) conducted experiment to study pre-planting soaking of corms in

gibberellic acid as well as planting with or without sand dressing. Higher levels (100 and 150

ppm) of GA3 increased the number of sprouts per corm, girth and height of plant, number and

width of leaf, length and placement of florets, number of flowering spikes per mother corm,

number of opened fresh florets at a time, longevity and vase-life of spike, yield of spikes,

weight of daughter corm, total yield of corms and number of cormels per plant. Planting of

corms in soil only enhanced corm sprouting and spike emergence, increased the number of

sprouts, flowering spikes and cormels per mother corm, placement of florets on rachis, width

of full opened floret, longevity of spike and total yield of spikes per unit area.

Tawar et al (2007) studied effect of growth regulators on corm and cormel production

of gladiolus cv. Jester with GA3 (100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm), IAA (100 and 250 ppm), BA

9

(50 and 100 ppm) by foliar spray at 40 and 60 days and reavealed spraying of BA at 50 ppm

attributed to superior results regarding number and weight of corms and cormels.

Kumar et al (2008a) studied effect of growth regulators on flowering, corm and

cormel production in gladiolus and reported that GA3 and jasmonic acid increased spike

length, number of florets per spike and spike field life. Foliar sprays of jasmonic acid and

brassinosteroids significantly increased the number of corms and cormels produced per plot

and propagation coefficient.

Kumar et al (2008b) studied the effect of plant growth regulators on growth,

flowering and corm production of gladiolus cv. Snow Princess and sixteen treatments with

five different plant growth regulators viz., GA3, NAA, BA, Kinetin and CCC at three

concentrations, including control was laid out. It was found that number of shoots per corm

was more, plant height was more, number of leaves per plant was more and recorded early

flowering in GA3 (500 ppm) followed by GA3 (750 ppm) and NAA (250 ppm).

Havale et al (2008) conducted an experiment to study the effect of plant growth

regulators on corms and cormels production of gladiolus. The experiment was laid out in

Randomized Block Design with three replications and 12 corm treatments of growth

regulators and chemicals on gladiolus crop. The results revealed that BA (50 ppm) recorded

maximum number of corms plant-1, plot-1, ha-1, weight of corms and weight of cormels plant.

Kumar et al (2009) studied the effect of plant growth regulators on dormancy, corm

and cormel production in gladiolus. Gibberellic acid (75, 100 and 125 ppm), Benzyl adenine

(25, 50 and 100 ppm), Naphthalene Acetic Acid (50, 100 and 150 ppm). Cultivar American

Beauty with GA3 at 125 ppm recorded less number of days to sprout. GA3 (125 ppm)

recorded highest percentage of sprouting in both the cultivars. BA (100 ppm) recorded

maximum number of replacement corms and number of cormels produced per corm in cv.

American Beauty whereas cv. White Prosperity recorded maximum cormel weight per corm

and highest propagation coefficient with BA (100 ppm). NAA (150 ppm) recorded maximum

corm size and corm weight in cv. White Prosperity.

Singh and Srivastava (2010) studied the effect of foliar spray of growth regulators in

three doses each in GA3 (50, 100 and 150 ppm), Ethrel (100, 200 ad 300 ppm) on the

flowering of two cultivars of tuberose viz., Shringar and Kalyani Double. Results revealed

that GA3 at 150 ppm was best in inducing early spike emergence, opening of first floret, 50

per cent floret opening and maximum spike yield per square meter. The spikes characters,

such as length of rachis and spike, number of florets per spike, increased significantly with

the application of GA3 at 100 ppm. However, ethrel at 300 ppm exhibited delayed flowering,

minimum flowering duration and reduced length of spike characters.

Rathod et al (2011) studied the effect of different planting time and chemicals on

growth, flowering and yield parameters of gladiolus cv. American Beauty. The results

10

revealed that October planting increased the growth, flowering, quality and yield attributes as

compared to August and November planting while in case of chemicals GA3 at 150 ppm had

significant effect on growth, flowering, quality and yield attributes as compared to control.

Patel et al (2011) studied the effect of growth regulators on gladiolus with treatments

comprised of GA3 (25 and 50 mg/l), and CCC (250 and 500 mg/l) including control (only

water). The results revealed that treatment of GA3 at 50 mg/l took minimum days for corm

sprouting as compared to control. Significantly the maximum plant height, leaf length and

number of leaves per plant were registered with the same treatment (GA3 50 mg/l) as

compared to control. Whereas CCC 250 mg/l gave maximum yield of corms and cormels by

increasing the number and weight of corms and cormels per plant as compared to control.

Khan et al (2012) studied optimum concentration of benzyladenine (BA) and

gibberellic acid (GA3) to break the dormancy of gladiolus corms in relation to storage period

and find out the effect of BA and GA3 on growth and development of gladiolus corm and

cormels. The effect of GA3 on dormancy breaking was most pronounced in the 100 ppm.

Among different levels of BA, dormancy breaking was comparatively earlier by 29.60 days

when treated with BA at 50 ppm. Considering storage periods, corms stored for 30 days

followed by different growth regulator treatments sprouted 11.63 and 21.24 days earlier than

75 and 90 days stored corms. Corms treated with GA3 at 75 ppm and stored for 90 days

produced the maximum percentage of spikes.

Sudhakar and Kumar (2012) studied the effect of growth regulators GA3, CCC and

MH on growth, flowering and corm production of gladiolus cv. white friendship. The results

revealed that the growth regulators application significantly influenced the growth and yield

of gladiolus cv. white friendship. The maximum no. of florets per spike, spike length (cm)

and flower length (cm) were obtained with GA3 100 ppm, Whereas CCC 500 ppm was found

the best in terms of corms and cormels production.

Dogra et al (2012) studied the effect of GA3 (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) and plant

geometry on growth, flowering and corm production in gladiolus. The results indicated that

maximum plant height, number of leaves, leaf width, spike length, rachis length, corm

diameter, corm weight and early flowering was recorded at GA3 300 ppm. Corms planted at a

spacing of 40x40 cm exhibited highest plant height, rachis length, number of florets per spike,

floret diameter, number of corms per plant, corm diameter, corm and cormel weight. Among

interactions, treatment of corms with GA3 300 ppm and spacing at 40x40 cm was found more

effective in the enhancement of vegetative and floral attributes.

Nomita et al (2013) studied effect of corm splitting and GA3 application on growth

and flowering of gladiolus cv. ‘Pusa Jyotsna’. Six corm sizes viz., small whole corms (S1),

large and medium corms cut into two pieces (S2 and S3), large and medium corm cut into

three pieces (S4 and S5, respectively) and small corm cut into two pieces (S6), were treated

11

with four different concentrations of GA3 (0, 50, 100 and 200 ppm). Findings revealed that S2

produced significantly greater plant height (117.74 cm), no. of leaves per plant (9.33) and leaf

length (69.46 cm). Maximum number of florets per spike (14.72), spike length (105.79 cm)

and rachis length (75.52 cm) were also recorded with S2. Both S2 and S3 produced the

maximum floret size and vase life. Application of GA3 at 200 ppm induces early emergence

of shoot (16.77 days), produced maximum number of leaves (9.06) per plant, maximum spike

length (92.66 cm) and rachis length (72.25 cm).

Jala (2013) examined young adventitious shoots from corm of gladiolus as they were

used as explants and cultured on MS medium supplemented with combination of various

concentration (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 mg/l) BA, kinetin (2%, 3% and 4%) and sucrose. In this

experiment, potential of BA to get the highest average plantlets by culturing explants on MS

medium supplemented with 0.1 - 0.5 mg/l BA and sucrose 3 percent within 12 weeks. MS

medium with free BA and kinetin got the highest height of plantlets. When transferred

plantlets to MS medium supplemented with various concentration of NAA and sucrose,

potential of NAA which got the highest average number of cormels by culturing them on MS

medium supplemented with 0.1- 0.5 mg/l NAA and sucrose 3 percent, gave the highest fresh

weight.

Padmalatha et al (2013) studied the effect of plant growth regulators on corm and

cormels of gladiolus, Thiourea (2%), Salicylic acid (150 ppm), KNO3 (1.5%) and GA3 (150

ppm) significantly increased sprouting percentage of corms and recorded maximum number

of sprouts per corm. The cultivar recorded maximum corm size and weight, maximum

number of small cormels and total number of cormels per plant. Salicylic acid (150 ppm) and

Thiourea (2%) were effective in increasing number of corms per plant. Maximum corm size

and weight were recorded with Salicylic acid (150 ppm) and GA3 (150 ppm). Maximum

number of big cormels per plant and cormel weight was recorded with Thiourea (2%), GA3

(150 ppm) and Salicylic acid (150 ppm).

Singh et al (2013a) studied the effect of GA3 on growth and flowering attributes in

gladiolus cultivars. The results revealed that maximum length of leaf and width of longest leaf

were recorded with GA3 at 400 ppm on cvs. Sabnum and Gunjan. Maximum number of

leaves per plant was registered with cv. Gunjan at 200 ppm GA3. Among flowering

parameters early spike emergence was noticed in cv. Sabnum when, GA3 was sprayed at

higher concentrations (300-400 ppm). GA3 at 300 ppm exerted maximum length of spike,

whereas maximum number of florets per spike was recorded with cv. Snow Princess when

GA3 was applied at 100-200 ppm.

Singh et al (2013b) studied the effect of GA3 and NAA on plant growth, flowering,

bulb production and vase life of tuberose (Pollianthes tuberosa L.) cv. Single. Single bulbs

were dipped in different concentration of GA3 and NAA (50, 100, 150, 200 ppm) for 6 hours

12

and 12 hours. GA3 200 ppm with 12 hours soaked bulbs resulted best for plant growth,

number of leaves per clump, height of plant, leaf area, fresh weight of leaves per clump, as

well as minimum number of days to spike emergence, maximum spike length, spike weight,

higher number of florets per spike, maximum number of spike per clump, duration of

flowering and vase life. Similar beneficial effects on number of bulbs per clump, weight of

bulbs per clump, weight of bulblets per clump, weight of bulbs, bulb diameter, number of

bulblets per clump, and fresh weight of bulbs were observed.

Uddin et al (2013) conducted an experiment to study the effect of GA3 (0, 50, 100,

150 and 200 ppm) on growth and flowering of Gladiolus. GA3 150 ppm showed the highest

plant height (131.2 cm) at harvest, number of florets/spike (14.1), length of flower stalk (74.2

cm), weight of single spike at harvest (62.2 g) and yield (327700 spike/ha). So, it is concluded

that GA3 150 ppm application is the most effective for improving the growth and flowering of

gladiolus for summer season cultivation of gladiolus.

Bhujbal et al (2014) studied the importance of growth regulators and cold storage

treatments for breaking of gladiolus corm dormancy. Four growth regulators treatments were

used at GA3 125 ppm, BA 50 ppm, NAA 100 ppm and control. Under growth regulator

treatment with GA3 25 ppm and in cold storage, 24 week cold storage treatment was most

effective in breaking of dormancy and resulted in earliest sprouting. It was concluded that

gladiolus corm dormancy will be break by the use of growth regulators and cold storage

treatments.

Chopde and Gonge (2014) studied the effect of growth regulators treatments

GA3 (100 and 150 ppm) and NAA (200 and 300 ppm) on varieties Phule Tejas and Phule

Ganesh of gladiolus. The results revealed that the maximum protein content of leaves, yield

of spikes per ha and the earliest opening of first pair of florets were found with the variety

Phule Tejas, whereas total chlorophyll content of leaves, diameter and length of spikes,

distance between two florets, length and width of florets and yield of cormels per plant were

superior in the variety Phule Ganesh. The highest yield of better quality spikes were noticed

with the gladiolus plants treated with GA3 at 150 ppm, whereas NAA at 300 ppm treated

plants noticed the highest yield of cormels.

Faraji and Basaki (2014) studied the effect of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and

benzyladenine (BA) on growth, flowering, corm production of cut flower gladiolus cv. White

Prosperity. Primarily bulbs were treated with four different concentrations of IAA (0,100,150,

200 mg/l) and benzyl adenine (0, 100, 150, 200 mg/l). The results indicated that IAA and BA

increased germination rate of gladiolus. Also, onset stalk flower, diameter of floret and bulb

wing affected by IAA and BA. The results showed that highest content of sugar were in petal

and leaves which were treated with IAA 100 and 200 mg/l.

Ahmed et al (2014) studied the effect of plant growth regulators in order to improve

13

the vegetative, floral and physiological attributes. Gladiolus plants were sprayed thrice with

different concentrations (0.1, 0.4, 0.7 and 1mM) of gibberellic acid, benzylaminopurine and

salicylic acid at three leaf stage, five leaf stage and slipping stage. Foliar application of 1mM

gibberellic acid increased the plant height, spike length, florets spike, corm diameter, corm

weight and total cormel weight compared to benzylaminopurine and salicylic acid.

Sarkar et al (2014) studied the influences of four levels of GA3 on gladiolus,

gibberellic acid regulated the plant growth and development of spike, corms and cormels. The

treatment GA3 at 150 ppm and corm size 120-125 g was more potential to enhance 80 per

cent sprouting of corm and initiation of 80 per cent flowering earlier about 3.74 and 5.87 days

respectively and it also increased number of floret inflorescence-1 and diameter of corm

compared to control. In conjugation with GA3 (150 ppm) and corm size 120-125 g increased

the yield of spikes, corms and cormels about 33 per cent, 18 per cent and 14 per cent,

respectively compared to control.

Waskar et al (2015) studied the effect of plant growth regulators GA3 and CCC on

growth and flower quality of gladiolus and found that the maximum height of the plant,

number of leaves, leaf area were recorded by treatment GA3 at 200 ppm with foliar spray.

Lowest plant height was observed in treatment CCC 750 ppm spray. Minimum number of

leaves per plant and leaf area were recorded in CCC 250 ppm per plant as foliar spray. In

flower quality parameters, maximum number of florets per spike, floret length, length of

spike and length of rachis were recorded with foliar spray of GA3 at 200 ppm. Maximum

weight of floret, diameter of floret and girth of spike were produced by CCC 750 ppm foliar

spray. Minimum number of florets per spike and floret length were recorded in CCC 250 ppm

foliar spray. Lowest weight of florets, diameter of florets and girth of spike were recorded in

GA3 100 ppm spray. Lowest length of spike and length of rachis were recorded in CCC 750

ppm foliar spray.

Bhande et al (2015) studied growth, yield and quality of gladiolus as influenced by

growth regulators GA3 and BA. The treatments comprised of GA3 100 ppm, GA3 200 ppm,

BA 50 ppm, BA 100 ppm and control. The results revealed that minimum days for sprouting

of corms and maximum shoots plant-1, leaves plant-1, length of spike, length of rachis,

longevity of spike and spikes plant-1 in gladiolus were recorded with the application of GA3 at

200 ppm, whereas, application of BA at 100 ppm produced significantly the highest number

of corm and cormels plant-1. It was observed that the soaking and soaking + spraying method

of application of growth regulators sprouted and flowered earlier and produced significantly

maximum shoots plant-1. Significantly the earliest first spike emergence was noted with

soaking and soaking + spraying of GA3 at 200 ppm.

Goswami et al (2015) studied the effect of GA3 and BA on morphological,

phenological and yield attributes of gladiolus. GA3 at 200 ppm recorded the highest plant

14

height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, diameter of floret, fresh weight and dry weight

of spike. BA at 250 ppm exhibited maximum economic yield in terms of number of spikes per

corm and number of corms per corm.

CHAPTER III

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study entitled, “Effect of growth regulators on plant growth and

cormel production of gladiolus” was conducted at the research farm of the department of

Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the year 2015

– 2016. The study was planned in view of the following objectives:

To determine the optimum concentration of GA3 and BA for dip treatment of

gladiolus cormels.

To determine the effect of GA3 and BA on growth and cormel production of

gladiolus.

3.1 Geographical location

Ludhiana is situated between 30˚54’ North (latitude) and 75˚48’ (East longitude) and at

the height of 247 meters above mean sea level.

3.2 Climate

The climatic zone of Ludhiana being sub tropical is characterized by cold winters with

occasional ground frost in the months of December and January and high temperatures

associated with hot dessicating winds in the months of May and June. The average rainfall of

the area is 700 mm during 2015. The rain mainly occurs during monsoon season with a few

rain showers during winter season.

3.3 Soil characteristics

The soil of experimental area sandy loam in texture with good water holding capacity

and medium in fertility. The pH of soil was 8.3.

3.4 Location of work: Research Farm, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping,

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

3.5 Plan of work

The present study “The effect of growth regulators on plant growth and cormel

production of gladiolus” was conducted in a experiment mentioned below:

Experiment: Effect of growth regulators treatment of cormels on plant growth and cormel

production of gladiolus.

3.5.1 Treatments

3.5.1.1 Varieties: 4

1 CPG

2 Punjab glance

3 Sylvia

4 Novalux

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3.5.1.2 Growth regulators treatments: 10

Chemical Concentrations

T1: Control

T2: GA3 50 ppm

T3: GA3 100 ppm

T4: GA3 150 ppm

T5: GA 3 200 ppm

T6: BA 25 ppm

T7: BA 50 ppm

T8: BA 75 ppm

T9: BA 100 ppm

T10: BA 125 ppm

3.5.1.3 Design of Experiment

Varieties : 4

Growth regulators treatments : 10

Number of replications : 3

Number of cormels treated / replication : 100

The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design using growth regulators

treatments as main factor and varieties as sub factor. The layout of the field is presented in

plate 1.

3.5.2 Treatment of cormels

The cormels of all the varieties were soaked overnight in diluted water and then

soaked in Baviston (0.2%) for half an hour. The cormels were soaked in solutions of

gibberellic acid and benzyladenine at different concentrations for 12 hours before planting in

the field, plate 2.

3.5.3 Planting

The cormels (1.0-2.0 cm diameter) of different varieties were treated with various

concentrations of growth regulators and were planted in the first week of November at

distance of 20 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants.

3.5.4 Applications of fertilizers

The field was thoroughly prepared by regular ploughing two months prior to planting

and prescribed doses of N, P, K (31.97, 4.6, 67.05 kg/acre) was applied at the time of

planting.

3.5.5 Cultural practices

All the recommended package of practices was followed to raise the good crop.

Manual weeding was done at 15 days interval along with hoeing throughout the crop season.

17

Plate 1: View of field

Irrigation was given twice a week for proper growth of crop depending on the temperature.

3.5.6 Harvesting

Cormels were ready for lifting when leaves started to turn yellow. Irrigation was

withheld 2-3 weeks before harvesting. After lifting the cormels data was recorded, were

cleaned, graded and kept in cold storage at (0-4˚C) for next season planting.

3.5.7 Observations

The observations were recorded on following sprouting vegetative and reproductive

parameters.

a) Days to sprouting: Total numbers of days for the cormels to sprout from the date of

planting were recorded from the plants under observation and their average was worked out

from all the selected plants under all the three replications.

b) Sprouting %: The percent sprouting of the cormels was calculated by dividing the number

of cormels sprouted with number of cormels planted and their average was worked out from

all the selected plants under all the three replications.

c) Initial Plant height ( cm): The plant height was taken from the ground level to tip of leaf

with the help of a scale after two months of planting and their average was worked out from

all the marked plants under all the three replications.

d) Final plant height ( cm): The plant height was taken from the ground level to tip of leaf

with the help of a scale after four and half months of planting and their average was worked

out from all the marked plants under all the three replications.

e) Leaf length ( cm): The leaf length was recorded from the emergence of leaf to the highest

leaf with the help of scale from the selected plants in all the varieties and their average was

worked out from all the selected plants under three replications.

f) Leaf width ( cm): The leaf width was recorded from the middle of the leaf horizontally

with the help of scale from the selected plants in all the varieties and their average was

worked out from all the marked plants under all the three replications.

g) Leaf area ( cm2): The leaf area was recorded by multiplying leaf length and leaf width

from all the selected plants. Their average was worked out under all the three replications for

the data analysis.

h) Number of leaves per plant: The number of leaves were counted from selected plants

under three replications after four and half months of planting and their average was worked

out under all the three replications.

i) Diameter of cormel: The diameter of the cormel was measured by taking the length of

circumference with the help of measuring tape and their average was worked out from all the

selected plants under three replications.

j) Number of cormels per corm: The number of cormels were counted at the time of

17

18

harvesting and their average was worked out from all the selected plants under all the three

replications.

k) Cormel weight: The weight of the cormels per plant was taken separately for each plant

by the help of electronic weighing balance and their average was worked out from all the

selected plants under three replications.

l) Statistical Analysis: Statistical Analysis was carried out for the observations recorded in

experiment to find out whether there exists any significant variation for various parameters

among different growth regulators treatments. Data was subjected to statistical analysis by

using CPCS – 1, using standard technique of analysis of variance (ANOVA) as proposed by

Fisher (1950).

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(a) Punjab Glance Cormels

(b) Novalux Cormels

(c) Sylvia Cormels

(d) CPG Cormels

Plate 2: Cormel of gladiolus varieties

CHAPTER IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The studies entitled “Effect of growth regulators on plant growth and cormel

production of gladiolus” was conducted in the research farm of Department of Floriculture

and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2015-2016. The cormels

of four varieties of gladiolus namely CPG, Punjab Glance, Sylvia, Novalux were treated with

different concentrations of plant growth regulators gibberellic acid and benzyladenine as pre-

planting dip treatment. The study was planned in Experiment: Effect of growth regulators

treatment of comels on plant growth and cormel production of gladiolus.

4.1 Experiment : Effect of growth regulators treatment of cormels on plant growth

and cormel production of gladiolus.

4.1.1 Days to sprouting

The data represented in table 4.1.1 presents the effect of pre planting growth

regulators treatments on days to sprouting of cormels on four varieties of gladiolus.

It is evident from the table that minimum days to sprouting was observed in variety

Punjab Glance (12.53 days) followed by variety CPG (13.38 days). The maximum days to

sprouting was recorded in Novalux (14.83 days).

Among the growth regulators treatments minimum time to sprouting was observed

with the application of gibberellic acid 200 ppm (11.83 days ) followed by BA 100 ppm and

125 ppm (12.08 and 12.24 days respectively ) followed by gibberellic acid 100 ppm (12.58

days). The results also indicate that the maximum time under control was (16.66 days), which

was significantly higher than all treatments.

The interactions between varieties and growth regulators treatments revealed that

minimum time to sprouting (11.00 days) was recorded in CPG with gibberellic acid 200 ppm

and 100 ppm followed by (11.50 days) with gibberellic acid 150 ppm followed by (12.33

days) with BA 100 ppm and 125 ppm. The maximum days to sprouting was observed (14.33

days) with BA 50 ppm and 75 ppm followed by (13.66 days) with gibberellic acid 50 ppm

compared (17.00 days) to control.

In variety Punjab Glance, minimum time to sprouting was recorded (11.33 days)

with the application of BA 100 ppm and (12.00 days) with BA 125 ppm. The maximum days

(13.66 days) and (13.33 days) were recorded with BA 25 ppm and gibberellic acid 50 ppm

compared to (14.00 days ) with control.

In variety Sylvia, minimum days to sprouting (12.33 days) was recorded with the

application of gibberellic acid 200 ppm and recorded to be at par with BA 100 ppm followed

by gibberellic acid 100 ppm and 150 ppm (13.66 days). The maximum time to sprouting

(14.66 days) were recorded with gibberellic acid 50 ppm followed by (14.33 days) with BA

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Table 4.1.1 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on days to

sprouting of cormels in gladiolus

Days To Sprouting

Treatment CPG Punjab Glance Sylvia Novalux Mean

T1 Control 17.00 14.00 17.00 18.66 16.66

T2 GA3 50 ppm 13.66 13.33 14.66 16.33 14.49

T3 GA3 100 ppm 11.00 12.00 13.66 13.66 12.58

T4 GA3 150 ppm 11.50 12.00 13.66 13.66 12.70

T5 GA3 200 ppm 11.00 11.66 12.33 12.33 11.83

T6 BA 25 ppm 16.33 13.66 16.33 18.33 16.16

T7 BA 50 ppm 14.33 12.66 14.33 16.33 14.41

T8 BA 75 ppm 14.33 12.66 14.33 14.33 13.91

T9 BA 100 ppm 12.33 11.33 12.33 12.33 12.08

T10 BA 125 ppm 12.33 12.00 12.33 12.33 12.24

Mean 13.38 12.53 14.10 14.83 -

CD(p = 0.05) :

Variety : 0.55

Treatment : 0.87

Variety × Treatment : 1.74

21

50 ppm as compared to (17.00 days) control.

In variety Novalux, minimum days to sprouting were recorded with gibberellic acid

200 ppm which was at par with BA 100 ppm (12.33 days) followed by (13.66 days ) with

gibberllic acid 100 ppm and 150 ppm. It is also evident from the data that the variety Novalux

took maximum time of (18.66 days) under control.

GA3 induces the formation of hydrolytic enzymes which regulate the mobilization of

reserves, ultimately resulting sprouting of gladiolus corm as reported by Groot and Kasssen

(1987).

Treatments of cormels with different concentration of plant growth regulators

influence the sprouting of cormels. In the present experiment it was observed that BA 100

ppm resulted in minimum time to sprouting of cormels of variety Punjab Glance, Sylvia and

Novalux. However, in variety CPG exhibited minimum time on cormel sprouting with the

gibberellic acid 200 ppm.

Genotypic variation in respect of days to sprouting and per cent sprouting was

reported earlier by Seenivasan (2001) in Gladiolus.

The beneficial effect of BA 100 ppm is in line with the findings of Narayana and

Gowda (1994), where this concentration was equally effective for breaking the dormancy of

corm by 26 days and sprouting increased the number of sprouts. Similar results have been

reported by Uddin et al (2013) with the application of gibberellic acid on number of sprouts

per plant and vegetative parameter.

4.1.2 Percent-sprouting

The data represented in table 4.1.2 presents the effect of growth regulators treatment

on sprouting percentage of gladiolus cormels. It is evident that there was significant variations

among the varieties, chemicals, concentration and their various interactions for sprouting

percentage.

Among the four varieties CPG recorded highest sprouting percentage (83.73%)

followed by Punjab Glance (83.10%) followed by Sylvia (82.70 %). The minimum sprouting

percent was recorded in Novalux (79.83%).

As per the result of different growth regulators treatments gibberellic acid 200 ppm

resulted maximum sprouting (94.08 %) followed by BA 125 ppm (91.41%) and gibberellic

acid 150 ppm (88.75%).

Among the interactions between the varieties and treatments, variety CPG, recorded

maximum sprouting percent (99.33%) with gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by gibberellic

acid 150 ppm (95.66%). The treatment with BA 125 ppm presented (93.33%) sprouting of

cormels followed by gibberellic acid 100 ppm (88.66%). The minimum sprouting percent

(70.33%) was observed in BA 25 ppm which was significantly higher than all other treaments

22

Table 4.1.2 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on sprouting

% in gladiolus

Sprouting %


T1 Control 83.66 85.00 83.33 70.00 80.50

T2 GA3 50 ppm 80.66 83.00 85.33 73.33 80.75

T3 GA3 100 ppm 88.66 88.66 88.66 80.00 86.50

T4 GA3 150 ppm 95.66 86.33 89.33 84.00 88.75

T5 GA3 200 ppm 99.33 93.33 94.66 89.00 94.08

T6 BA 25 ppm 70.33 69.00 70.66 68.33 69.08

T7 BA 50 ppm 73.00 76.00 72.66 70.00 72.91

T8 BA 75 ppm 70.66 70.00 85.00 85.66 78.08

T9 BA 100 ppm 86.33 86.00 90.66 89.00 88.33

T10 BA 125 ppm 93.33 96.33 92.33 89.00 91.41

Mean 83.73 83.10 82.70 79.83 --

CD(p = 0.05) :

Variety : 1.84

Treatment : 2.91


23

of gibberellic acid and benzyladenine.

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum (96.33%) sprouting percent was recorded with

the application of BA 125 ppm followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (93.33%), (88.66%)

with gibberellic acid 100 ppm followed by (86.66%) and (86.00%) with the application of

gibberellic acid 150 and BA 100 ppm. The minimum sprouting percent (69.00%) observed in

BA 25 ppm followed by (70.00%) and (76.00%) was observed in BA 75 ppm and 50 ppm

compared (85.00%) under control.

In variety Sylvia, maximum sprouting percent (94.66%) was observed in gibberellic

acid 200 ppm followed by BA 125 ppm (92.33%). The results show that BA 125 ppm and BA

100 ppm was statistically at par with gibberellic acid 100 ppm and 150 ppm The minimum

sprouting percent (70.66%) and (72.66%) was observed under BA 25 and 50 ppm compared

(83.33%) under control.

In variety Novalux maximum sprouting percent (89.00%) was observed in gibberellic

acid 200 ppm and BA 100 and 125 ppm followed by BA 75 ppm (85.66%) and gibberellic

acid 150 ppm (84.00%). The minimum sprouting per cent was observed (70.00%) under

control and BA 50 ppm (70.00%) followed by (73.33%) with gibberellic acid 50 ppm.

GA3 induces the formation of hydrolytic enzymes which regulate the mobilization of

reserves, ultimately resulting sprouting of gladiolus corm Groot and Kasssen (1987).

The beneficial effect of BA 100 ppm is in line with the findings of Narayana and

Gowda (1994), where this concentration was equally effective for breaking the dormancy of

corm by 26 days and sprouting increased the number of sprouts. Similar results have been

reported by Uddin et al (2013) with the application of gibberellic acid on number of sprouts

per plant and vegetative parameter.

4.1.3 Plant height after 2 months of planting

The data represented in table 4.1.3 and fig.4.1.1 presents the effect of pre-planting

growth regulators treatments on plant height in gladiolus.

Among the four varieties, the maximum plant height was observed in variety Punjab

Glance (25.99 cm) followed by the CPG (21.91 cm) and Sylvia (20.03 cm).

As per the results of different growth regulators treatments, gibberellic acid 200 ppm

resulted in maximum plant height (24.17 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm and 50

ppm (22.46 cm) and (22.06 cm). The minimum plant height was observed (20.89 cm) with

gibberellic acid 100 ppm and (20.84 cm) with BA 50 ppm followed by (20.56 cm) under

control (Plate 3 and 4).

As per the results of interactions between the varieties and growth regulators

treatments, the variety CPG presented maximum (23.23 cm) plant height with BA 50 ppm

24

Table 4.1.3 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on plant

height in gladiolus

Plant Height (cm)


T1 Control 22.60 25.40 16.89 17.36 20.56

T2 GA3 50 ppm 22.50 28.76 20.77 18.20 22.06

T3 GA3 100 ppm 20.96 25.13 20.20 17.26 20.89

T4 GA3 150 ppm 22.56 23.93 22.11 21.23 22.46

T5 GA3 200 ppm 22.90 30.80 24.33 18.66 24.17

T6 BA 25 ppm 20.50 25.63 19.42 17.46 20.75

T7 BA 50 ppm 23.23 21.33 21.64 17.26 20.84

T8 BA 75 ppm 20.20 24.40 19.66 18.43 20.67

T9 BA 100 ppm 21.03 26.75 17.80 19.76 21.33

T10 BA 125 ppm 22.30 27.84 17.46 18.20 21.45

Mean 21.91 25.99 20.03 18.38 -

CD(p = 0.05) :

Variety : 0.91

Treatment : 1.45


25

(a) Punjab Glance

(b) Sylvia

Plate 3: Growth parameters of gladiolus varieties

Fig. 1. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on Plant height in gladiolu

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

T1 Control T2 GA₃ 50 ppm

T3 GA₃ 100 ppm

T4 GA₃ 150 ppm

T5 GA₃ 200 ppm

T6 BA 25

ppm

T7 BA 50

ppm

T8 BA 75

ppm

T9 BA 100

ppm

T10 BA 125

ppm

Pla

nt

hei

gh

t (c

m)

Treatment

CPG

Punjab Glance

Sylvia

Novalux

25

26

followed by (22.90 cm) with gibberellic acid 200 ppm. The minimum plant height (20.20 cm)

was observed under BA 75 ppm followed by (20.50 cm) with gibberellic acid 50 ppm and BA

25 ppm. The treatment with BA 125 ppm gave (22.30 cm) height which was at par with

gibberellic acid 150 ppm (22.56 cm) and BA 100 ppm (21.03 cm).

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum plant height (30.80 cm) was observed under

gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by (28.76 cm) with gibberellic acid 50 ppm followed by

(27.84 cm) with BA 125 ppm followed by (26.75 cm) with BA 100 ppm followed by (25.63

cm) with BA 25 ppm which was at par (25.13 cm) with gibberellic acid 100 ppm followed by

(25.40 cm) under control.

In variety Sylvia, maximum (24.33 cm) plant height was observed with gibberellic

acid 200 ppm followed by (22.11 cm) with gibberellic acid 150 ppm and (21.64 cm) with BA

50 ppm. The minimum plant height was observed under control (16.89 cm).

In variety Novalux, maximum plant height (21.23 cm) was observed under gibberellic

acid 150 ppm followed by (19.76 cm) with BA 100 ppm followed by (18.66 cm) with

gibberellic acid 200 ppm.

In the present experiment, the varietal difference in plant height were reported which

might be due to their genetic make up and while comparing different concentrations of

growth regulators it was observed that increasing the concentration of gibberellic acid upto

200 ppm resulted in increased in plant height of varieties, Punjab Glance, CPG, Sylvia and

Novalux. This might be due to increased cell elongation by increasing cell division in sub

apical meristem and increase in vegetative parameters. A significant increase in vegetative

characters with increase in concentrations of gibberellic acid was also reported by Taiz and

Zeiger (1998) and Bhalla and Kumar (2008) in gladiolus.

4.1.4 Final plant height

The data presented in table 4.1.4 and fig. 4.1.2 revealed significant variations among

the varieties, chemicals, concentrations and their interactions for plant height in case of pre-

planting growth regulators treatments.

Among the four varieties, maximum plant height was observed in variety Punjab

Glance (29.88 cm) followed by CPG (25.70 cm), Sylvia (23.97 cm). The minimum plant

height was observed in variety Novalux (22.51 cm)

As per the results of different growth regulator treatments, gibberellic acid 200 ppm

resulted in maximum plant height (28.05 cm) followed by (26.57 cm) with gibberellic acid 50

ppm. The results also show that BA 125 ppm resulted in equivalent results with gibberellic

acid 200 ppm for plant height.

The results of interactions between the varieties and growth regulators treatments

variety, CPG revealed that maximum (27.40 cm) plant height was recorded with application

27

Table 4.1.4 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on final plant

height in gladiolus

Final Plant Height (cm)


T1 Control 26.00 29.80 20.75 21.36 24.48

T2 GA3 50 ppm 26.56 32.76 24.77 22.20 26.57

T3 GA3 100 ppm 24.74 29.13 24.20 21.26 24.83

T4 GA3150 ppm 26.56 27.76 26.06 25.13 26.38

T5 GA3 200 ppm 26.76 34.76 28.02 22.66 28.05

T6 BA 25 ppm 24.50 28.80 23.30 21.46 24.53

T7 BA 50 ppm 27.40 25.33 25.61 21.16 24.87

T8 BA 75 ppm 23.23 27.80 23.50 23.86 24.60

T9 BA 100 ppm 25.00 30.80 21.96 23.76 24.38

T10 BA 125 ppm 26.26 31.84 21.46 22.20 25.44

Mean 25.70 29.88 23.97 22.51 --

CD(p = 0.05) :

Variety : 0.91

Treatment : 1.44


Fig. 2. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on Final plant height in gladiolus

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

T1 Control T2 GA₃ 50

ppm

T3 GA₃ 100

ppm

T4 GA₃ 150

ppm

T5 GA₃ 200

ppm

T6 BA 25ppm

T7 BA 50ppm

T8 BA 75ppm

T9 BA 100ppm

T10 BA 125ppm

Fin

al

pla

nt

hei

gh

t (c

m)

Treatment

CPG

Punjab Glance

Sylvia

Novalux

28

29

of BA 50 ppm followed by (26.76 cm) with gibberellic acid 200 ppm. The minimum plant

height (25.00 cm) was observed with BA 100 ppm followed by (24.74 cm) with gibberellic

acid 100 ppm and (24.50 cm) with BA 25 ppm.

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum plant height (34.76 cm) was observed with

gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by (32.76 cm) with gibberellic acid 50 ppm. The minimum

plant height (29.13 cm) was observed with gibberellic acid 100 ppm followed by (29.80 cm )

under control followed by (28.80 cm) with BA 25 ppm. The treatment with BA 125 ppm and

100 ppm gave eqvivalent results with respect of plant height.

In variety Sylvia, maximum plant height (28.02 cm) was observed under gibberellic

acid 200 ppm followed by (26.06 cm) with gibberellic acid 150 ppm. The minimum plant

height (23.30 cm) was observed with BA 25 ppm followed by (21.96 cm) with BA 100 ppm.

It was at par with BA 125 ppm (21.46 cm) compared (20.75 cm) under control.

In variety Novalux, maximum plant height (25.13 cm) was observed with gibberellic

acid 150 ppm followed by (23.86 cm) with BA 75 ppm. The minimum plant height (21.46

cm) was observed with BA 25 ppm followed by (21.26 cm) with gibberellic acid 100 ppm.

Increase in plant height with gibberellic acid treatment may be due to its effect on cell

elongation as reported by Tonecki (1980) that gibberellic acid is known to be involved in

various process of plant development.

4.1.5 Leaf length

The data represented in table 4.1.5 presents the effect of growth regulators treatments

on the leaf length in different varieties of gladiolus.

Among the four varieties maximum leaf length was observed in Punjab Glance (26.72

cm) followed by CPG (21.49 cm) and Sylvia (20.70 cm).


resulted in maximum leaf length (23.20 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm and BA

100 ppm (22.78 cm and 22.43 cm respectively). The minimum leaf length was observed

under control (20.00 cm).


treatments, variety CPG, presented maximum leaf length with gibberellic acid 200 ppm

(22.83 cm) followed by BA 125 ppm (22.00 cm). The minimum leaf length was observed

with gibberellic acid 50 ppm (20.76 cm ) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm and BA 25

ppm (21.00 cm).

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum leaf length was observed with gibberellic acid

200 ppm (28.50 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm (27.60 cm). The minimum leaf

length was observed with BA 125 ppm (23.66 cm) which were significantly at par with

gibberellic acid 100 ppm and BA 25 ppm (24.00 cm).

30

Table 4.1.5 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatments of cormels on leaf

length in gladiolus

Leaf Length (cm)


T1 Control 21.43 23.90 18.50 16.20 20.00

T2 GA3 50 ppm 20.76 24.23 21.00 16.66 20.66

T3 GA3 100 ppm 21.20 24.00 21.46 16.86 20.94

T4 GA3 150 ppm 21.00 27.60 22.40 16.83 22.78

T5 GA3 200 ppm 22.83 28.50 24.10 17.36 23.20

T6 BA 25 ppm 21.00 24.00 19.30 16.20 20.12

T7 BA 50 ppm 21.43 25.26 19.60 16.20 20.64

T8 BA 75 ppm 21.43 25.26 19.83 16.83 20.84

T9 BA 100 ppm 21.86 24.00 20.50 16.86 22.43

T10 BA 125 ppm 22.00 23.66 20.33 16.46 22.31

Mean 21.49 26.72 20.70 16.65 -

CD (p = 0.05) :

Variety : 1.07

Treatment : 1.69

Variety × Treatment : NS

31

In variety Sylvia, maximum leaf length (24.10 cm) was observed with gibberellic

acid 200 ppm followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm (22.40 cm). The minimum leaf length

was observed with BA 25 ppm (19.30 cm) which was at par with BA 50 ppm (19.60 cm)

compared (18.50 cm) under control.

In variety Novalux, maximum leaf length was observed with gibberellic acid 200 ppm

(17.36 cm) followed by BA 100 ppm (16.86 cm) which was at par with gibberellic acid 100

ppm (16.86 cm). The minimum leaf length was observed with BA 125 ppm (16.46 cm) which

was at par with gibberellic acid 50 ppm (16.66 cm) compared under control (16.20 cm).

In the present experiment, it was observed that there were significant differences of

different varieties which might be due to their genetic make up, while comparing different

concentrations of growth regulators it was found that increasing the concentration of

gibberellic acid upto 200 ppm resulted in increased in leaf length of varieties in Punjab

Glance, CPG, Sylvia and Novalux. This might be due to the fact that gibberellic acid

promotes vegetative growth in terms of leaf size by inducing active cell division in apical

meristem. These findings are in consonance with the reports of Sharma et al (2004).

4.1.6 Leaf width (cm)

The data represented in the table 4.1.6 presents the effect of pre-plant growth

regulators treatment on leaf width in gladiolus.

Among the four varieties maximum leaf width was obtained in (2.07 cm) in Punjab

Glance followed by Sylvia (1.99 cm) and CPG (1.88 cm). The minimum leaf width was

observed in Novalux (1.48 cm).

As per the result of different growth regulators treatments, gibberellic acid 200 ppm

resulted in maximum leaf width (2.24 cm) followed by BA 125 ppm (2.00 cm) and gibberellic

acid 150 ppm (1.94 cm). It is also evident from the results that the BA 100 ppm and BA 125

ppm resulted in equivalent leaf width. The minimum leaf width was observed with BA 25

ppm (1.64 cm) compared with all other treatments.

As per the results of interactions among the varieties and growth regulators

treatments, variety CPG, presented maximum leaf width with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.42

cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm (2.16 cm) which was significantly at par with BA

100 and 125 ppm (2.00 cm). The minimum leaf width was observed with BA 25 ppm (1.66

cm) and there were no significant differences at higher doses of BA on leaf width.

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum leaf width was observed with gibberellic acid

200 ppm and BA 125 ppm (2.56 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm and BA 100 ppm

(2.10 cm). The minimum leaf width was observed with BA 25 ppm (1.63 cm) compared to all

other treatments.

In variety Sylvia, maximum leaf width was observed under gibberellic acid 200 ppm

32

Table 4.1.6 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on leaf width

in gladiolus

Leaf width (cm)


T1 Control 1.96 1.83 1.63 1.43 1.71

T2 GA3 50 ppm 1.86 1.96 1.83 1.33 1.75

T3 GA3 100 ppm 1.88 2.00 1.86 1.36 1.81

T4 GA3 150 ppm 2.16 2.10 2.36 1.50 1.94

T5 GA3 200 ppm 2.42 2.56 2.66 1.93 2.24

T6 BA 25 ppm 1.66 1.63 1.63 1.33 1.64

T7 BA 50 ppm 1.70 1.83 1.83 1.46 1.77

T8 BA 75 ppm 1.66 1.86 2.03 1.50 1.76

T9 BA 100 ppm 2.00 2.10 2.06 1.56 1.91

T10 BA 125 ppm 2.00 2.56 2.10 1.40 2.00

Mean 1.88 2.07 1.99 1.48 --

CD (p = 0.05) :

Variety : 0.11

Treatment : 0.18


33

(2.66 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm (2.36 cm) which was significantly at par

with BA 125 ppm and 75 ppm (2.10 cm and 2.06 cm respectively). The minimum leaf length

was observed with BA 25 ppm (1.63 cm) which was significantly at par with all other

treatments.

In variety Novalux, maximum leaf width was observed with gibberellic acid 200 ppm

(1.93 cm) followed by BA 100 ppm (1.56 cm) which was at par with gibberellic acid 150 ppm

and BA 75 ppm (1.50 cm). The minimum leaf width was observed with gibberellic acid 50

ppm and BA 25 ppm (1.33 cm) compared to all other treatments.



concentrations of growth regulators it was found that increasing the concentration of

gibberellic acid upto 200 ppm resulted in increased in leaf width of varieties in Punjab

Glance, CPG, Sylvia and Novalux. This might be due to the fact that gibberellic acid

promotes vegetative growth in terms of leaf size by inducing active cell division in apical

meristem. These findings are in consonance with the reports of Sharma et al (2004) and

Kumar et al (2009). A significant increase in vegetative characters with increase in

concentrations of gibberellic acid was also reported by Taiz and Zeiger (1998) in gladiolus.

4.1.7 Leaf area (cm

2)

The data represented in the table 4.1.7 and fig. 4.1.3 presents the effect of pre-

planting growth regulators treatment on leaf area in gladiolus.

Among the four varieties, maximum leaf area was observed in variety Punjab Glance

(59.35 cm2) followed by CPG (46.31 cm2) and Sylvia (42.53 cm2). The minimum leaf area

was observed in Novalux (27.90 cm2).


(57.26 cm2) resulted in maximum leaf area followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm (51.17 cm2)

and BA 125 ppm (48.14 cm2).

As per the results of interactions among the varieties and growth regulators

treatments, variety CPG, presented maximum leaf area with gibberellic acid 200 ppm ( 64.67

cm2) followed by BA 125 ppm (47.56 cm2) which was at par with gibberellic acid 150 ppm (

48.01 cm2). The minimum leaf area was observed under BA 75 ppm (38.41 cm2) and it did

not increase with the increase dose of BA.

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum leaf area was observed under gibberellic acid

200 ppm and 150 ppm (77.24 cm2) and (77.20 cm2) followed by BA 25 ppm (63.23 cm2). The

minimum leaf area was observed under BA 25 ppm (51.40 cm2). The leaf area under control

was statistically at par with gibberellic acid 50 ppm and BA 50, 70 ppm.

In variety Sylvia, maximum leaf area was observed under gibberellic acid 200 ppm

34

Table 4.1.7 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on leaf area

in gladiolus

Leaf area (cm2)


T1 Control 46.89 52.90 35.33 24.34 39.87

T2 GA3 50 ppm 46.59 53.17 38.73 20.82 39.82

T3 GA3 100 ppm 47.40 53.75 46.74 29.29 44.29

T4 GA3 150 ppm 48.01 77.20 48.80 30.66 51.17

T5 GA3 200 ppm 64.67 77.24 55.95 31.18 57.26

T6 BA 25 ppm 39.66 51.40 30.50 21.29 35.71

T7 BA 50 ppm 43.69 52.98 35.67 28.65 40.24

T8 BA 75 ppm 38.41 52.90 45.76 28.65 41.44

T9 BA 100 ppm 40.25 58.78 39.04 31.05 42.28

T10 BA 125 ppm 47.56 63.23 48.80 32.09 48.14

Mean 46.31 59.35 42.53 27.90 --

CD(p = 0.05) :

Variety : 4.82

Treatment : 7.63


Fig. 3. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on leaf area in gladiolus

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90


ppm

T3 GA₃ 100

ppm

T4 GA₃ 150

ppm

T5 GA₃ 200

ppm

T6 BA 25ppm

T7 BA 50ppm

T8 BA 75ppm

T9 BA 100ppm

T10 BA 125ppm

Lea

f A

rea (

cm2)

Treatment

CPG

Punjab Glance

Sylvia

Novalux

35

36

(55.95 cm2). The results also show that gibberellic acid 150 ppm resulted in equivalent

results with BA 125 ppm (48.80 cm2). The minimum leaf area was observed with BA 25 ppm

(30.50cm2).

In variety Novalux, maximum leaf area was observed under BA 125 ppm (32.09 cm2)

which was significantly at par with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (31.18 cm2) followed by BA

100 ppm (31.05 cm2). The minimum leaf area was observed under gibberellic acid 50 ppm

and similarly there was no significant increase in leaf area with BA upto 50 ppm in this

variety.

In the present experiment, there is significant increase in leaf area with gibberellic acid

upto 200 ppm in variety Punjab Glance, CPG, Sylvia and Novalux. It has been observed that

there is decrease in leaf area with BA treatment 100, 150 ppm irrespective of variety. The

effect of gibberellic acid on leaf area may be due to its stimulatory effect on cell division and

elongation as reported by Tonecki (1980) in gladiolus. There is reduction in leaf area due to

BA treatments because of the effect of BA on two competitive sinks, spikes and developing

cormels which enhance multiple shooting and hence accelerated corm production leading in

decrease in area of leaf. Similar results have also been reported by Padmalatha et al (2012) in

gladiolus.

4.1.8 Number of leaves per plant

The data represented in the table 4.1.8 presents the effect of pre-planting growth

regulators treatments on number of leaves in gladiolus.

Among the four varieties, the maximum number of leaves per plant were observed in

Punjab Glance (4.56) followed by CPG (4.51) and Sylvia (4.41). The minimum leaf counted

were recorded in Novalux (3.40).


resulted maximum number of leaves per plant (4.56) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm

(4.40) and BA 125 ppm. The minimum no of leaves per plant were observed under control

(3.89) (Plate 3 and 4).


treatments, variety CPG, presented maximum number of leaves per plant with BA 50 ppm

(4.86) followed by BA 125 ppm (4.75) which was at par with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (4.73).

All the treatments were significantly at par with each other in respect to number of leaves.

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum number of leaves per plant were observed with

BA 100 ppm (5.06) followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (4.86). The treatment BA 125 ppm

resulted in (4.73) number of leaves per plant followed by (4.63) under BA 50 ppm. The

minimum no of leaves per plant were observed in BA 25 ppm and gibberellic acid 150 ppm

(4.13).

37

(a) Novalux

(b) CPG

Plate 4: Growth parameters of gladiolus varieties

37

Table 4.1.8 Effect of pre planting growth regulators of cormels treatments on no of

leaves per plant in gladiolus

No of leaves per plant


T1 Control 4.19 4.50 4.03 3.16 3.89

T2 GA3 50 ppm 4.33 4.53 4.36 3.20 4.10

T3 GA3 100 ppm 4.07 4.37 4.46 2.73 3.85

T4 GA3 150 ppm 4.50 4.13 4.60 4.00 4.40

T5 GA3 200 ppm 4.73 4.86 4.83 3.83 4.56

T6 BA 25 ppm 4.50 4.13 4.06 3.20 3.97

T7 BA 50 ppm 4.86 4.63 4.46 3.33 4.25

T8 BA 75 ppm 4.63 4.36 4.36 3.46 4.20

T9 BA 100 ppm 4.57 5.06 4.33 3.26 4.33

T10 BA 125 ppm 4.75 4.73 4.51 3.63 4.40

Mean 4.51 4.56 4.41 3.40 --

CD(p = 0.05) :

Variety : 0.21

Treatment : 0.33


38

In variety Sylvia, maximum number of leaves per plant (4.83) were observed under

gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by (4.60) with gibberellic acid 150 ppm followed by (4.51)

with BA 125 ppm followed by (4.46) with gibberellic acid 100 ppm and BA 50 ppm. The

minimum no of leaves per plant (4.36) were observed under gibberellic acid 50 ppm and BA

75 ppm followed by (4.06) number of leaves were observed in BA 25 ppm compared (4.03)

under control.

In variety Novalux, maximum number of leaves (4.00) were observed with

gibberellic acid 150 ppm followed by (3.83) with gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by (3.63)

with BA 125 ppm followed by (3.46) with BA 75 ppm followed by (3.33) with BA 50 ppm.

The minimum number of leaves per of plants (3.26) were observed under BA 100 ppm

followed by gibberellic acid 50 ppm (3.20) and BA 25 ppm compared under control (3.16).

Application of gibberellic acid 200 ppm resulted in highest number of leaves per plant

in varieties with the application of gibberellic acid upto 200 ppm and it was found to be at

par with BA 150 ppm in all the varieties. This might be due to increased cell division

resulting in more number of leaves and increased leaf area as compared to untreated (control).

These results are in accordance with the description of earlier described parameters on leaf

length, leaf width and leaf area of present study similarly these results also justify the findings

of Padmalatha et al (2012).

4.1.9 Number of cormels per corm


planting growth regulators treatment on the number of cormels in gladiolus.

Among the four varieties the maximum number of cormels were obtained in variety

Punjab Glance (2.91) followed by CPG (2.33) and Sylvia (1.96). The minimum number of

cormels were observed in Novalux (1.08).

As per the result of different growth regulator treatments, BA 125 ppm resulted in

maximum number of cormels (3.34) followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.62). The

minimum number of cormels were observed in BA 25 ppm (1.62) compared under control

(1.40).

As per the interactions among the varieties and different growth regulators

treatments, variety CPG, resulted in maximum number of cormels per corm with BA 125

ppm (3.30) followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.72). The treatment with BA 100 ppm

gave (2.27) number of cormels which was at par with gibberellic acid 150 ppm ( 2.44). The

minimum number of cormels per corm were observed under control (1.53).

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum number of cormels per corm were observed with

BA 125 ppm (5.15) followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (3.75). The treatment with

gibberellic acid 100 ppm gave (3.19) number of cormels which was at par with (3.15) under

39

Table 4.1.9 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment on no of cormels in

gladiolus

No. of Cormels


T1 Control 1.53 2.08 1.00 1.00 1.40

T2 GA3 50 ppm 2.56 2.21 1.69 1.00 1.86

T3 GA3 100 ppm 1.80 3.19 2.01 1.06 2.02

T4 GA3 150 ppm 2.44 2.30 2.26 1.06 2.01

T5 GA3 200 ppm 2.72 3.75 2.71 1.30 2.62

T6 BA 25 ppm 2.06 2.31 1.26 0.83 1.62

T7 BA 50 ppm 1.95 2.31 2.07 1.16 1.87

T8 BA 75 ppm 1.66 2.61 1.70 1.00 1.74

T9 BA 100 ppm 2.27 3.15 1.36 1.00 1.94

T10 BA 125 ppm 3.30 5.15 3.57 1.36 3.34

Mean 2.33 2.91 1.96 1.08 --

CD (p = 0.05) :

Variety : 0.31

Treatment : 0.49


Fig. 4. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment on no of cormels in gladiolus

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

T1 Control T2 GA₃ 50 ppm

T3 GA₃ 100 ppm

T4 GA₃ 150 ppm

T5 GA₃ 200 ppm

T6 BA 25ppm

T7 BA 50ppm

T8 BA 75ppm

T9 BA 100ppm

T10 BA 125ppm

No

. o

f co

rmel

s

Treatment

CPG

Punjab Glance

Sylvia

Novalux

40

41

BA 100 ppm. The minimum number of cormels per corm were observed under control i.e

(2.08) and there was significant differences at lower concentrations of BA.

In variety Sylvia, maximum no of cormels per corm were observed with BA 125 ppm

(3.57) followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.71) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm

(2.26) which was at par with BA 50 ppm. The minimum number of cormels per corm were

observed with BA 25 ppm (1.26) compared (1.00) under control.

In variety Novalux, maximum number of cormels per corm were observed with BA

125 ppm (1.36) followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (1.30). The minimum number of

cormels per corm were observed with gibberellic acid 50 ppm, BA 75 ppm, BA 100 ppm and

under control (1.00).



concentrations of growth regulators. It is evident from the results that maximum no of cormel

per corm were observed with BA 125 ppm in variety Punjab Glance, CPG, Sylvia and

Novalux. This might be due to fact that BA causes more splitting and cell division than

increasing the size of corms. These results are in conformity with findings of (Baskaran et al

2009) in gladiolus. The higher concentration of BA enhance multiple shooting and

accelerating corm production in gladiolus. The results are in conformity with the work of

Rajaram et al (2002) and Khan et al (2012).

All the varieties and growth regulators treatments showed significant effects on

number of cormels per corm as reported by ( Arora et al 1992).

4.1.10 Diameter of cormel (cm)

The data represented in the table 4.1.9 presents the effect of pre-planting growth

regulators treatment on diameters of cormels in gladiolus.

Among the four varieties the maximum diameter of cormel was observed in Punjab

Glance (2.19 cm) followed by CPG (1.97 cm) and Sylvia (1.79 cm). The minimum diameter

of cormel was observed in Novalux (1.62 cm).

As per the results of different growth regulators treatments, maximum diameter of

cormel was observed with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.06 cm) followed by BA 125 ppm

(2.04 cm). The minimum diameter of cormel was observed with BA 25 ppm (1.69 cm).

As per the results of interactions among varieties and growth regulators treatments,

variety CPG, presented maximum diameter of cormel with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.10

cm) followed by BA 125 ppm (2.07 cm) and gibberellic acid 50 ppm (2.00 cm). The

treatment with gibberellic acid 100 ppm gave (1.95 cm) which was significantly at par with

BA 75 ppm (1.87 cm) and BA 100 ppm (1.89 cm).

In variety Punjab Glance, maximum diameter of cormel was observed at BA 125 ppm

42

Table 4.1.10 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on diameter

of cormel in gladiolus

Diameter of Cormel ( cm)


T1 Control 1.91 2.13 1.74 1.47 1.81

T2 GA3 50 ppm 2.07 2.25 1.93 1.62 1.96

T3 GA3 100 ppm 1.95 2.11 1.47 1.64 1.79

T4 GA3 150 ppm 2.00 2.19 2.04 1.88 2.03

T5 GA3 200 ppm 2.10 2.23 2.08 1.82 2.06

T6 BA 25 ppm 2.00 2.28 1.21 1.29 1.69

T7 BA 50 ppm 1.85 2.01 1.96 1.72 1.88

T8 BA 75 ppm 1.87 2.16 1.82 1.50 1.84

T9 BA 100 ppm 1.89 2.14 1.74 1.61 1.84

T10 BA 125 ppm 2.07 2.44 1.94 1.72 2.04

Mean 1.97 2.19 1.79 1.62 --

CD (p = 0.05) :

Variety : 0.12

Treatment : 0.19


43

Table 4.1.11 Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on cormel

weight in gladiolus

Cormel weight(g)


T1 Control 5.23 8.00 5.33 2.06 5.15

T2 GA3 50 ppm 8.33 9.26 6.13 2.06 6.45

T3 GA3 100 ppm 8.74 11.51 7.26 2.86 7.59

T4 GA3 150 ppm 8.90 10.11 7.56 2.70 7.32

T5 GA3 200 ppm 9.99 13.75 8.52 3.22 8.87

T6 BA 25 ppm 7.35 7.04 5.08 2.00 5.36

T7 BA 50 ppm 8.61 10.03 5.17 2.13 6.48

T8 BA 75 ppm 9.95 8.81 5.31 3.20 6.82

T9 BA 100 ppm 9.26 9.38 5.29 3.24 6.79

T10 BA 125 ppm 9.99 13.16 6.90 3.43 8.37

Mean 8.75 10.10 6.25 2.81 --

CD (p = 0.05) :

Variety : 0.97

Treatment : 1.54


Fig. 5. Effect of pre planting growth regulators treatment of cormels on cormel weight in gladiolus

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16


ppm

T3 GA₃ 100

ppm

T4 GA₃ 150

ppm

T5 GA₃ 200

ppm

T6 BA 25ppm

T7 BA 50ppm

T8 BA 75ppm

T9 BA 100ppm

T10 BA 125ppm

Corm

el w

eigh

t (g

)

Treatment

CPG

Punjab Glance

Sylvia

Novalux

44

45

(2.44 cm) and BA 25 ppm (2.28 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 50 ppm and 200 ppm (2.25

cm and 2.23 cm respectively ). The results show that the minimum diameter of cormel was

observed with BA 50 ppm (2.01 cm).

In variety Sylvia, maximum diameter of cormel was observed with gibberellic acid

200 ppm (2.08 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm (2.04 cm) which was significantly

at par with BA 125 ppm and gibberellic acid 50 ppm ( 1.94 cm and 1.93 cm respectively).

The minimum diameter of cormel was observed with BA 100 ppm and under control (1.74

cm).

In variety Novalux, maximum diameter of cormel was observed with gibberellic acid

150 ppm (1.88 cm) followed by BA 125 ppm and 50 ppm (1.72 cm) and there were no

significant differences seen among different growth regulators treatments. The minimum

diameter of cormel was observed with BA 25 ppm (1.29 cm) which was significantly at par

with control (1.47 cm ).

In the present study, it has been observed that corm diameter is greatly influenced by

the application of gibberellic acid and BA at higher doses of 200 ppm and 125 ppm

respectively. Similarly, the cormel diameter was also found to be significantly higher at these

concentrations in all the varieties as these parameters are closely influenced by the

accumulation of photosynthates in reserve form.

These results also corrobonate the findings of Bhalla and Kumar (2008) and Jhon et

al (1997). The effect of gibberellic acid on diameter of cormel may be due to its stimulatory

effect on cell division as reported by Tonecki (1980) in gladiolus.

4.1.11 Cormel weight (g)


planting growth regulators treatment on the cormel weight.

Among the four varieties the maximum cormel weight was observed in variety

Punjab Glance (10.10 g) followed by CPG (8.75 g) and Sylvia (6.25 g). The minimum cormel

weight was observed in Novalux (2.81 g).

As per the result of different growth regulators treatments, gibberellic acid 200 ppm

resulted in maximum cormel weight (8.87 g) followed by BA 125 ppm (8.37 g) and these

treatments were equally effective.

As per the result of interactions among the varieties and growth regulators treatments,

in variety CPG, it was observed that gibberellic acid 200 ppm and BA 125 ppm resulted in

equivalent results with respect to cormel weight (9.99 g). The treatment with gibberellic acid

150 ppm (8.90 g) were at par with BA 50 ppm (8.61 g). The minimum cormel weight was

observed in BA 25 ppm (7.35 g) compared under control (5.23 g).

46

In variety Punjab Glance, the maximum cormel weight was observed with

gibberellic acid 200 ppm (13.75 g) followed by BA 125 ppm (13.16 g) which were found

statiscally at par. The results also show that gibberellic acid 150 ppm (10.11 g) resulted in

equivalent result with BA 50 ppm (10.03 g) and the minimum cormel weight was observed

under control (8.00g).

In variety Sylvia, the maximum cormel weight was observed with gibberellic acid

200 ppm (8.52 g) followed by gibberellic acid 150 and 100 ppm (7.56 g and 7.26 g

respectively). Minimum cormel weight was observed under BA 25 ppm (5.08 g) and there

were no significant differences while compared with control (5.33 g) and BA ppm ( 5.17 g)

and BA 75 ppm (5.31 g).

In variety Novalux, the maximum cormel weight was observed with BA 125 ppm

(3.43 g) followed by BA 100 ppm (3.24 g) which was at par with gibberellic acid 200 ppm

(3.22 g) followed by BA 75 ppm (3.20 g). The minimum cormel weight was observed under

BA 25 ppm which was significantly at par with gibberellic acid 50 ppm and control (2.06 g).

From the results of this table 4.1.11 it was observed that gibberellic acid 200 ppm and

BA 125 ppm resulted in cormels with heavy weight in all the four varieties under experiment.

This might be due to better accumulation of food reserves in the cormels due to increased leaf

number, plant height and also leaf size. These vegetative growth parameters resulted in better

photosynthesis. These results are also in line with the findings of Sharma et al (2004) in

gladiolus.

However, the data presented in this table show that the four varieties CPG, Punjab

Glance, Sylvia and Novalux differed significantly in respect of cormel weight. The variety

Punjab Glance presented the maximum cormel weight and the variety Novalux presented the

minimum cormel. The variation in cormel weight of these varieties is due to their genetic

make up similar variation in varietal response with respect to corm attributes was reported by

Paswan (1985) and Seenivasan (2001).

From the results presented under this heading it is evident that, the minimum time to

sprouting of cormels was recorded with gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by BA 1250ppm.

The highest sprouting percent was recorded with gibberellic acid 200 ppm. The results show

thatBA125 ppm was also found considerably effective for both the parameters. The maximum

plant height was recorded under gibberellic acid 200 ppm. The maximum leaf length and leaf

width was observed with gibberellic acid 200 ppm which is equivalent with leaf length and

leaf width recorded under BA 125 ppm. Similarly, the maximum leaf area and leaf number

per plant was observed under gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm

and BA 125 ppm.

The maximum number of cormels per plant was recorded with BA 125 ppm which is

statistically at par with gibberellic acid 200 ppm in variety CPG and Punjab Glance. The

47

maximum cormel weight was recorded with gibberellic acid 200 ppm and BA 125 ppm in

variety CPG, Punjab Glance and Sylvia. Maximum diameter of cormel were observed with

gibberellic acid 200 ppm followed by BA 125 ppm in variety Punjab Glance and Sylvia.

However, in variety Novalux maximum diameter of cormels was recorded with gibberellic

acid 200 ppm.

CHAPTER-V

SUMMARY

The studies entitled, “Effect of growth regulators on plant growth and cormel

production of gladiolus” were conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of

Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2015-2016.

Gladiolus is an important bulbous flower and plays an important role as cut flower both in

domestic and international market because of its magnificent inflorescence, wide array of

colors, shape, size and keeping quality. Gladiolus belongs to family Iridaceace and sub-family

Ixioideae. Iridaceace family contains some 106 genera, containing mostly bulbous

ornamentals. There are about 250 recorded species mostly scattered in Natal and Cape of

good hope in Republic of South Africa. Certain species are also native to other countries viz.,

Ethopia, Rhodesia, Malawi, Mascrene Islands, Middle East and Armenia and caucascus

region of USSR. The present study was planned with the objectives to determine the optimum

concentration of GA3 and BA for dip treatment of gladiolus cormels, and to determine the

effect of GA3 and BA on growth and cormel production of gladiolus.

The cormels of four varieties of gladiolus i.e CPG, Punjab Glance, Sylvia and

Novalux were treated with different growth regulators by pre sowing dip treatment. The

growth regulators used were GA3 (50 ppm, 100 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm) and BA (25 ppm,

50 ppm, 75 ppm, 100 ppm, 125 ppm).

The result revealed that GA3 200 ppm recorded significantly minimum number of

days to sprouting in variety Punjab Glance (12.5 days) and in CPG (13.4 days). The

maximum days to sprouting was recorded in Novalux (14.83 days). Among the growth

regulators treatments, minimum time to sprouting was observed with application of

gibberellic acid 200 ppm (11.83 days) followed by BA 100 ppm (12.08 days). The minimum

sprouting time was taken by variety Punjab Glance with BA 100 ppm (11.33 days) followed

by CPG with gibberellic acid 200 and 100 ppm (11.00 days).

Among the four varieties, CPG recorded maximum sprouting percentage (83.73%)

followed by Punjab Glance (83.10%). Among the growth regulators treatments, maximum

sprouting per cent was recorded with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (94.08%) followed by BA 125

ppm (91.41 %). Similarly among the interactions between the growth regulators and varieties,

maximum sprouting per cent was observed under CPG at 200 ppm (99.33%) followed by

Punjab Glance at BA 125 ppm (96.33%).

Among the four varieties, maximum plant height was observed in variety Punjab

Glance (29.88 cm) followed by CPG (25.70 cm), Sylvia (23.97 cm). Among the different

growth regulators treatments, gibberellic acid 200 ppm resulted in maximum plant height

(28.05 cm) which is equivalent with BA 125 ppm. Similarly, the variety CPG presented

49

maximum plant height with the BA 50 ppm (27.40 cm). In variety Punjab Glance, maximum

plant height was observed with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (34.76 cm).

Maximum leaf length was observed in Punjab Glance (26.72 cm) followed by CPG

(21.49 cm) and Sylvia (20.70 cm). Gibberellic acid 200 ppm resulted in maximum leaf length

(23.20 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm and BA 100 ppm (22.78 cm and 22.43 cm

respectively). Similarly, among the interactions between the varieties and growth regulators

treatments, maximum leaf length was observed in variety CPG with gibberellic acid 200 ppm

(22.83 cm). In variety Punjab Glance, maximum leaf length was observed with gibberellic

acid 200 ppm (28.50 cm) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm (27.60 cm). Similarly, in

variety Sylvia and Novalux, maximum leaf length was observed with gibberellic acid 200

ppm i.e 24.10 cm and 17.36 cm respectively.

Among the four varieties, maximum leaf width was observed in variety Punjab

Glance (2.07 cm) followed by Sylvia (1.99 cm) and CPG (1.88 cm). Gibberellic acid 200 ppm

resulted in maximum leaf width (2.24 cm) which is equivalent with BA 125 ppm. Similarly,

among the interactions between varieties and growth regulators treatments, variety CPG

presented maximum leaf width with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.24 cm). Maximum leaf width

was observed with gibberellic acid 200 ppm in variety Punjab Glance (2.56 cm), Sylvia (2.66

cm) and Novalux (1.93 cm).

Among the four varieties, maximum leaf area was observed in variety Punjab

Glance (59.35 cm2) followed by CPG (46.31 cm2) and Sylvia (42.53 cm2). Gibberellic acid

200 ppm (57.26 cm2) resulted in maximum leaf area followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm

(51.17 cm2). Variety CPG, presented maximum leaf area with gibberellic acid 200 ppm

(64.67 cm2) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm (48.01 cm2). The maximum leaf area was

observed under gibberellic acid 200 ppm in variety Punjab Glance (77.24 cm2) and Sylvia

(55.95 cm2).

Among the four varieties, the maximum number of leaves per plant were observed in

Punjab Glance (4.56) followed by CPG (4.51) and Sylvia (4.41). Gibberellic acid 200 ppm

resuted in maximum number of leaves per plant (4.56) followed by gibberellic acid 150 ppm

(4.40) and BA 125 ppm. Variety CPG, presented maximum no of leaves with BA 50 ppm

(4.86) which was at par with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (4.73). In variety Punjab Glance,

maximum number of leaves were observed with BA 100 ppm (5.06) and in variety Sylvia,

maximum number leaves of per plant (4.83) were observed under gibberellic acid 200 ppm.

Among the four varieties, maximum number of cormels were obtained in variety Punjab

Glance (2.91) followed by CPG (2.33) and Sylvia (1.96). BA 125 ppm resulted in maximum

number of cormels (3.34) followed by gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.62). Variety CPG resulted

in maximum number of cormels per corm with BA 125 ppm (3.30) followed by gibberellic

acid 200 ppm (2.72). Maximum number of cormels per corm were observed with BA 125

50

ppm in variety Punjab Glance (5.15). Maximum number of cormels per corm were observed

with BA 125 ppm in Sylvia (3.57) and Novalux (1.36).

Among the four varieties, maximum diameter of cormels was observed in Punjab

Glance (2.19 cm) followed by CPG (1.97 cm) and Sylvia (1.79 cm). Maximum diameter of

cormel was observed with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (2.06 cm) followed by BA 125 ppm (2.04

cm). Variety CPG presented maximum diameter of cormel with gibberellic acid 200 ppm

(2.10 cm) followed by BA 125 ppm (2.07 cm). In variety Punjab Glance, maximum diameter

of cormel was observed with BA 125 ppm (2.44 cm ).

Among the four varieties, maximum cormel weight was observed in variety Punjab

Glance (10.10 g) followed by CPG (8.75 g) and Sylvia (6.25 g). Gibberellic acid 200 ppm

resulted in maximum cormel weight (8.87 g) followed by BA 125 ppm (8.37 g). Gibberellic

acid 200 ppm and BA 125 ppm resulted in equivalent results with respect to cormel weight in

variety CPG (9.99 g), Punjab Glance (13.75 g) and Sylvia (8.52 g). In variety Novalux,

maximum cormel weight was observed with BA 125 ppm (3.43 g) followed by BA 100 ppm

(3.24 g) which was at par with gibberellic acid 200 ppm (3.22 g).

51

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VITA

Name : Manpreet Kalsi

Father’s Name : Mr. Biram Lal Kalsi

Mother’s Name : Mrs. Harbans Kaur Kalsi

Nationality : Indian

Date of Birth : 25th July, 1990

Permanent Address : New Adarsh Nagar, Dagana Road, Hoshiarpur (Punjab)

Phone No. : 98783-84533

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Bachelor’s Degree : B.Sc. Agriculture

University : Panjab University, Chandigarh Year of award : 2014

% Marks : 75.45%

Master’s Degree : M.Sc.

University : Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

Year of Award : 2016

OCPA : 7.9/10.00

Title of Master’s Thesis : Effect of growth regulators on plant growth and cormel production of gladiolus

Documents

EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON PLANT GROWTH AND … · 2018-12-20 · 3 CERTIFICATE II This is to certify that the thesis report entitled, “Effect of growth regulators on plant