Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Flower Quality of Gladiolus cv. H.B. PITT

An investigation was undertaken at Department of Horticulture, Late Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani during Kharif season 2008-09 to analyze the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and flower quality of gladiolus cv. H.B. PITT. In the present study, it was found that the maximum height of the plant (60.19 cm), number of leaves (16.93), fresh weight of plant (274.94 g) and dry weight of plant (53.23g) were recorded by the treatment 50 % RDF + 50 % vermicompost to the experimental plot. Minimum plant height (51.67 cm), number of leaves (13.17), fresh weight of plant (179.79 g) and dry weight of plant (31.15 g) were recorded in the treatment 25 % RDF + 75 % FYM.Maximum length of spike (80.28 cm), length of rachis (41.50 cm) and spike (2.60 cm) were recorded in the treatment 50 % RDF + 50 % vermicompost to the experimental plot. Lowest spike length (72.50 cm), rachis length (35.09 cm) and diameter of spike (1.90 cm) were recorded in the treatment 25 % RDF + 75 % FYM. Thus, on the basis of present study, it can be concluded that the gladiolus crop should be provided the nutrition in the form of 50 % RDF + 50 % vermicompost per hectare for obtaining better plant growth and flower quality.