Evaluation of corm treatments with benzyladenine and gibberellic acid on growth and flowering attributes of gladiolus

The efficacy of benzyladenine (BA) and gibberellic acid(GA₃) corm treatments on morpho-physiological, biochemical, post-harvest and yield parameters of Gladiolus grandiflorus cv. Novalux was evaluated. The corms were immersed for 24 hours in freshly prepared solutions of different concentrations (50 mg L^-1, 75 mg L^-1, 100 mg L^-1 and 125 mg L^-1) of Benzyladenine (BA) and Gibberellic acid (GA₃). The corm treatment with GA₃ had positive effect on plant height, shoot weight, leaf area and leaf weight whereas, BA had adverse effect as compared to control. The biochemical parameters viz. total chlorophyll content, relative water content, membrane stability index, total soluble sugars and total protein content in leaves and florets were affected in response to both GA₃ and BA. Among the post-harvest and yield parameters, GA₃ @ 125 mg l^-1 recorded maximum enhancement in vase life (15.33 days), floret size, number of florets open at one time, per cent opening of florets, pH reduction and water uptake by spikes. However, BA @ 125 mg L^-1 recorded maximum enhancement in production of corms (3.66), cormels (16.33) and spikes per plant (3.00). Thus, vegetative and post-harvest parameters were improved more profoundly with GA₃ whereas, BA corm treatments were more efficient in promoting production of underground structures i.e. corms and cormels.