Effect of gamma irradiation on growth and floral characters of gladiolus varieties

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to see the effect of gamma irradiation on growth and floral characters of gladiolus varieties during winters of 2015-16 and 2016-17. Corms of sixteen gladiolus varieties viz., African Star, American Beauty, Dhanvantari, Green Star, Gulal, Lemon Beauty, Mohini, Nova Lux, Priscilla, Punjab Dawn, Punjab Morning, Red Beauty, Shubhangini, Snow Princess, Tiger Flame and Yellow Stone were exposed to five doses of gamma rays 25 Gy, 35 Gy, 45 Gy, 55 Gy and 65 Gy along with one control (untreated). Experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Reduction in number of sprouts per hill, number of leaves per hill, length of longest leaf and width of longest leaf was recorded with increased dose of gamma rays. However, maximum number of sprouts (2.48) and leaf width (2.66) recorded in plants treated with 25 Gy of gamma rays. Minimum days to spike emergence was recorded in variety Priscilla (67.53 days in M1 and 68.19 day in M2) during both the generation, whereas spike of variety American Beauty was longest (74.76 cm) in M1 as well as in M2 (84.74 cm).