Gladiolus (family Iridaceae) is one of the most important bulbous flower crops due to its long attractive spike with variety of colours, prolonged vase life and its ability to withstand long distance transportation. Four different varieties of Gladiolus (V1-American Beauty, V2-Pacifica, and V3- Summer Pearl and V4-Single Jester) with uniform size of corms were taken for assessing the effect of four concentrations of GA3 (25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm) on cormel production. The experiment was conducted in Factorial Randomized Block Design. Un-treated control was also maintained. The observations were recorded on various vegetative growths, cormel production and floral attributes. Spikes were harvested when basal florets showed colour. In this investigation GA3 100 ppm was found most effective for enhancing reproductive growth Number of florets per spike () time taken for Colour breaking ( days) were observed at 50 ppm. Maximum floret size () and earlier 50% flowering () were recorded at 25 ppm GA3. Treatment with GA3 showed delayed 50% heading in ( days) at 100 ppm. The results revealed that var. Summer Pearl recorded earlier colour break ( days), earlier 50% flowering ( days) and maximum cormel production () maximum number of florets per spike () and maximum florets size ( cm) were exhibited by var. American Beauty. | Effect of GA3 on reproductive growth and cormel production of gladiolus
