Description

Gladiolus is an excellent bulbous plant in India which can be taken up for commercial cultivation throughout the year for its superb cut flower. Because of high shelf life and pleasant colors of the flower, it is in great demand in the domestic market for interior embellishment, bouquet, pot arrangement etc. Besides, it has a good export market in European countries especially in winter months. In India it has about 6000 hectares of cultivated area. It is a cool season crop. Gladiolus botanically known as Gladiolus grandiflorus L. belongs to the family Iridaceae. Floriculture is a billion dollar industry world-wide. The total global trade of cut flowers and potted plants is estimated to US $ 40 billion. Nutrients are necessary for proper growth and development of gladiolus. There are 17 macro and micro nutrients which are essential for plant but among them, N, P and K are major ones required by crop in large amounts. Out of the major elements, the effect of N on gladiolus growth is more evident. For commercial cultivation, high-density planting is recommended. The corm number,corm weight and cormel production per corm decreased in closer spacings.