EFFECT OF CORM SIZE AND POTASSIUM ON THE GROWTH, FLOWERING AND YIELD OF GLADIOLUS

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from November 2005 to June 2006. The experiment considered with two factors: Factor A: Corm size (3 sizes) 1 e small (I l-20g), medium (21-30g) and large (31-40g), Factor B Potassium fertilizer (6 levels) i.e. 0 kg/ha, 150 kg/ha, 170 kg/ha, 190 kg/ha, 210 kg/ha and 230 kg/ha The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications Data were collected in respect of growth characters and yield of corm, cormel and spike of gladiolus Minimum days (9.43) required for emergence of plant was recorded in large size corm and maximum days ( 12.17) required for emergence of plant was recorded in small size corm. M1111mum days (64 94) required for emergence of spike was recorded in large size corm and maximum days (71 28) required for emergence of spike was recorded in small size corm The tallest gladiolus plant (89 75 cm) at 75 days after planting (OAP) was recorded m large size corm The highest weight of single corm (43 49 g) was recorded in large size corm The highest number of cormel/plant (26 18) was recorded m large size corm and the lowest number of cormel/plant (21.97) was recorded for small size corm The highest percentage of flowering plant (92 17) was recorded in large size corm and the lowest percentage of flowering plant (87 17) was recorded for small size corm. The highest yield of corm ( 14.3 7 t/ha) and cormcl ( 12 27 t/ha) was recorded in large size corm and the lowest yield of corm ( 11 53 t/ha) and cormel (9.53 t/ha) was recorded for small size corm In potassium fertilizer the minimum days (9.41) required for emergence of gladiolus plant was recorded m potassium fertilizer of 210 kg/ha. The maximum days (I 0 48) required for emergence of gladiolus plant was recorded with no potassium fcruhzer \11111mum days (66 12) required for emergence of spike was recorded w ith 230 kg/ha and maximum days (70.32) required for emergence of spake was recorded with no potassium fertilizer. The highest gladiolus plant (90 4Scm) at 75 OAP was recorded with 230 kg/ha The highest yield of corm ( 14 74 t/ha) and cormel (I 2 23 t/ha) was recorded with 230 kg/ha and the lowest yield of corm (I 0 90 t/ha) and cormel (9. 71 t/ha) was recorded with no potassium fertilizer. There were no interaction effects between corm size and levels of potassium fertilizer in terms of all the recorded character under the present invesngauon Highest gross return was obtained from the treatment combination of large size corm and potassium fertilizer at 230 kg/ha and the highest benefit cost ratio was (3.90) attained from the treatment combination of large size corm and potassium fertilizer at 230 kg/ha.