Pre-soaking treatment and foliar application of KNO3 on growth and flower production of gladiolus (Gladiolus hortulanus)

A field trial was conducted to investigate the effect of presoaking treatment and foliar application of KNO3 on the seed germination, growth and flower production of Gladiolus. Two gladiolus cultivar (White Friendship and Oscare) were experimented against pre-soaking and foliar application of KNO3 at four concentrations (0, 1, 3, 5%). The Experiment was conducted in a four replicated randomized complete block design (RCBD) having net plot size of 1.5m x 1.5m (2.25m 2 ) with plant and row spacing of 30cm and 30cm, respectively. The results revealed a highly significant (P<0.1) effect of presoaking treatment and foliar application of KNO3 (at various concentrations) on the seed germination, growth and flower production of gladiolus cvs. White Friendship and Oscare. White Friendship responded better to presoaking of corms with KNO3 concentrations of 61.43, 92.50 and 96.25% germination at wk 2, 3 and 4, respectively; 9.02 leaves plant