Management of corm size and soil water content for gladiolus flower production

Abstract

Gladiolus grandiflorus Andrews, in the family Iridaceae, is one of the most produced and marketed flowers in the world. In general, however, research results on gladioli production factors are scarce and divergent. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of corm size and soil water content on gladiolus flower production. The experimental design, using the early maturity cultivar 'White Friendship', was entirely randomized, arranged in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme (five soil water contents: 25; 50; 75; 100; and 125% field capacity, combined with two corm sizes: medium and big), with four replications per treatment. Each replication, composed of one pot, comprised three corms, totaling 40 pots and 120 plants. Both vegetative and flowering characteristics were evaluated. Gladiolus cultivation at 80% soil field capacity presents best results for commercialization, generating longer flower stems with greater diameter and flower number, plus larger flowers. Furthermore, such soil water content promotes the shortest cultivation period.

Gladiolus production as a function of growing environment conditions: a scientometric analysis

“…In Brazil, locations prone to frost have limited climatic conditions for Gladiolus production during this period (Schwab et al, 2018). This is because Gladiolus for commercialization, generating longer floral stems (63.61 cm), a greater number of leaves (6.94) and flowers (9.28), larger diameter (1.15 cm), and reduced cultivation period (57.5 days) (Santos et al, 2020;Mazzini-Guedes et al, 2017).…”

“…This increase in the number of papers indicates that over the years, there has been a growing interest among researchers in investigating and better describing the behavior and aspects of gladiolus with the aim of optimizing its commercial production. This is because gladiolus is among the most cultivated and traded cut flowers in the world(Mazzini-Guedes et al, 2017) and…”

Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning for Gladiolus in Santa Catarina

“…Although the crop may suffer from excess water, which favors corm rot, induces delayed development cycle and reduces plant growth (PEREIRA et al, 2009;MAZZINI-GUEDES et al, 2017), its highest sensitivity is related to water deficit. Some of the symptoms that can be triggered by water deficit include a shorter development cycle, burned spike tips and reduced growth.…”

Evaluation of water requirement, commercial quality, and yield response factor of gladiolus produced with automated irrigation in different growing periods

“…A smaller leaf area can also occur as an adaptation of the plant to water stress conditions, since the decrease in leaf area represents a smaller transpiration surface; thus, avoiding rapid water depletion from soil (Taiz;Zeiger, 2017). When studying the effect of water deficit in gladiolus plants, Mazzini-Guedes et al (2017) observed that plants obtained after applying 25% of field capacity treatment have lower values of total plant height and number of leaves.…”