Growth And Reproductive Response of Gladioulus to Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) is a phyto-hormone that acts as a key regulator for signaling defensive chemicals in plants under biotic and abiotic stresses. It also exerts stimulatory effects on various physiological processes related to plant growth and development. The present investigation entitled “Growth and reproductive response of Gladiolus to exogenous application of salicylic acid” was held at Department of Horticulture Research and Development (DHRD), National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), ISLAMABAD during 2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exogenous application of salicylic acid positively affects growth and flowering of gladiolus. Five levels (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200mg/L) of salicylic acid were sprayed on aerial parts of the plant. The studied traits were number of leaves plant-1, flower diameter, rachis length, days to spike emergence, number of florets spike-1, spike length and spike diameter. Results revealed that exogenous application of various concentrations of salicylic acid had a significant effect on all the recorded parameters. Salicylic acid at the rate of 200 mg L-1 reduced days to spike emergence and increased number of leaves plant-1, florets spike-1, spike length and rachis length. Second highest results regarding flower diameter and spike diameter were observed in gladiolus plants sprayed with 200 mg L-1 salicylic acid. Maximum flower diameter and spike dimeter were observed in gladiolus plots sprayed with 150 mg L-1 salicylic acid. Lowest results were observed in gladiolus crop that received no salicylic acid or salicylic acid in low concentrations. Hence concluded that high concentrations of salicylic acid improved both vegetative and reproductive characteristics of gladiolus crop. Based on results, it can be recommended that salicylic acid at 200 mg L-1 should be sprayed on gladiolus crop to achieve maximum and good quality yield of gladiolus.