In-vitro Response of Gladiolus (var. American Beauty) towards Plant Growth Regulators Using Cormel Explants

Gladiolus is one of the most potential bulbous cut flower crops cultivated widely in India due to its attractive and long lasting spikes. The plant is propagated vegetatively through corms and cormels, but due to low rate of multiplication, its cultivation is hindered. Also, it is grown through underground modified stems, they are more often attacked by soil borne diseases such as Fusarium corm rot. In-vitro propagation techniques, assumes significance, especially for securing rapid multiplication of quality planting propagules using dormant cormlet explants and media. The results of the study revealed that the MS growing medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BAP showed improved results in respect of sprouting of explants (54.46 %), days required for sprouting of explants (8.68 DAI) and shoot length at 30 (6.32 cm), 60 (12.40 cm) and 90 (13.21 cm) DAI. The in vitro regenerated gladiolus plantlets when placed in the rooting MS medium supplemented with 4 mg/l IBA showed earlier root initiation (8.31 DAI) and higher number of roots/shoot (5.37 DAI) as compared to the rest of the treatment combinations. Hardening medium consisting of garden soil + sand + vermicompost (1:1:1) showed greater survivability (50.98 %) of plantlets. Thus, the study has been initiated an efficient protocol for in-vitro propagation of gladiolus through cormlets cultured in MS media containing BAP and IBA as shooting and rooting plant growth regulators and subsequent acclimatization in garden soil + sand+ vermicompost medium.