Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

VARIETAL PERFORMANCE AND CHOICE OF EXOTIC AND INDIGENOUS GLADIOLUS VARIETIES IN NORTH EASTERN HIMALAYAN REGION

Indrajit Sarkar, Soumendra Chakraborty and Soumen Mitra

Abstract

Ten indigenous and exotic varieties of Gladiolus (Jester, Red Majesty, Mexican Rose, Priscilla, Tilak, Kumkum, IIHR- Hybrid, Candyman, White Prosperity and American beauty) were cultivated in field gene bank of Regional Research station Kalimpong in the years 2008-2009 and 2009-10 consecutively to observe the performances of important vegetative and floral attributes . The performance was conducted in randomized block design having plot size of 1 m x 1m. and having spacing of 50 cm in between the two plots. In the pooled result after 2010, Jester was found to have highest number of days to sprouting (33.45 days) where Early sprouting was found with the variety American Beauty (18.60 days), White Prosperity having highest rachis length (92.28 cm), Jester having highest size (width) of floret (14.42 cm), Candyman having highest spike length (125.36 cm) and highest number of florets per spike (19.92). White prosperity was found to have highest longevity (field life) of spike (13.59 days) and American Beauty was found to have highest vase-life of spike in tap water (9.67 days). Considering the very important floral parameters which are immensely valuable from the point of view of flower market in national and international arenas, Var. Jester, Candyman and American Beauty are recommended among these varieties to the farmers for better economic return from the market.