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SREEDHAR DEVARAKONDA*, NAGARAJU RACHAKUNTA AND Y. SHARATH KUMAR REDDY, AND Y. CHANDRA SEKHAR
Scientist (Hort), Horticulture Research Station, Dr. Y.S.R Horticultural University, Anantharajupeta, Railway Kodur, Kadapa Dist., Andhra Pradesh, India
Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) is one of the most widely cultivated, economically important and common flowering plants worldwide including India. However, the flower yield is quite low when grown under agro-climatic conditions of Rayalaseema zone of Andhra Pradesh. A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Research Station, Anantharajupeta. Railway Kodur, Kadapa district Andhra Pradesh, India during 2016-2017 to investigate the effect of micronutrients (Zn, B and Fe) on growth, flower yield and quality of gladiolus cv. Arka Amar. Eight treatments comprised of either each micronutrient alone or a combination of Zn, B and Fe were applied. Corms were planted within the first week of November 2016, Row to row and plant to plant spacing was maintained 30 x 20 cm, respectively. Fifteen corms were planted in each treatment with three replicates. The first spray was applied at 3-leaf while the second at 6-leaf stage. Application of the micronutrients significantly increased plant height, number of leaves per plant, spike length, spike girth, rachies length, florets per spike, number of cormels per plant and flower vase-life. Among the micronutrient treatments, the treatment containing FeSO4.7H2O(0.2%), H3BO3 (0.2%) and ZnSO4.7H2O (0.5%) per-formed the best for all the parameters except for number of corms per plant and diameter of floret which was not affected significantly by the foliar application of the micronutrients.