Effect of Potassium Fertility Levels on Gladiolus Yield Quality of Cut Flowers and Corm production

Abstract

Eight cultivars of Gladiolus “Deciso, Hong Kong, Jessica, Jester Ruffled, Madonna, Peters Pears, Rose Supreme and White Friendship” were evaluated for relative productivity in Peshawar, Pakistan over two years and at three levels of potassium (0, 100 and 200 kg K ha-1). There was a considerable variability in yield and quality of cut flowers as well as corm and cormels numbers in the cultivar and year with limited influence of potassium levels. Cultivars irrespective of years and potassium showed significant differences in all vegetative and floral characteristics studied during the experiment. Similarly years affected significantly all the growth parameters except first and last florets persistency and diameter of daughter corms. Potassium levels significantly affected only floret’s size at full open stage, last florets persistency and number of cormels per mother corm. There was a significant interaction between years and cultivars against all growth characteristics except size of first florets at color showing as well as first and last florets persistency. A variation in the effect of potassium levels regarding number of daughter corms and cormels per mother corm of gladiolus cultivars was observed. Last florets persistency was significantly affected by an interaction among years, potassium levels and cultivars. Rose Supreme and Jessica proved superior and were recommended for commercial cultivation in Peshawar, Pakistan.