Effect of split fertigation schedules on vegetative growth of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. Dhanvantari

Introduction

Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.), a member of the Iridaceae family, is also referred to as the "sword lily" and is also known as the "Queen of the bulbous flowers." It is one of the most important decorative flowering crops in the world. Because of its varied hues and variants and prolonged lifespan, it is a popular cut flower. They are frequently utilized in bouquets, floral arrangements and artistic garlands. The long flower spikes make excellent cut flowers for table decoration when placed in vases. Gladiolus is one of the most important cut flowers due to its easy cultivation and ability to adapt to a range of soils and agro climatic conditions, in addition to its appealing spikes and blossom. It has earned a place of honor in the Indian floriculture industry due to its enhanced beauty, good keeping quality and appropriateness for cut flowers. Gladiolus can be cultivated in any kind of well-drained soil, though it works best in sandy loam soil with sufficient organic matter. The ideal pH range for gladiolus cultivation is between 6 to 7, but it can also be grown in soil with a pH between 5 to 7. The plant's ability to absorb nutrients is intimately linked to many yield factors that determine the flower's yield. One of the most significant factors that directly affects the quality and yield of spikes is diet. According to Shankar and Dubey (2005) this crop requires a high dosage of macronutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium since it is extremely responsive to feeding. Increasing fertilizer efficiency, increasing output and optimizing fertilizer input all depend on fertilizer management techniques that are suitable for a particular site. In order to create a fertilizer solution, water-soluble grains concentrates are dissolved in water. Benefits of water soluble fertilizers is that they are readily absorbed, retain nutrients in the root zone, where they are quickly absorbed. Fertigation is a method that uses micro-irrigation equipment to deliver nutrients straight to the active root zone. It can deliver agricultural nutrients more precisely and promptly, leading to increased yields, improved quality. By increasing fertilizer efficiency and providing flexibility in fertilizer application timing based on crop demand and physiological stages of growth, fertigation also aids in reducing nutrient waste (Papadopoulos, 1992) [7] .

Material and Methods

A study entitled "Fertigation Studies in Gladiolus cv.

Dhanvantari" was carried out at the Instructional Farm of Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during the winter seasons of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Akola, Maharashtra, is part of Western Vidarbha area, which borders Madhya Pradesh. Its geographic coordinates are 20°16′ to 21°17′ N latitude and 76°38′ to 77°38′ E longitude, with an elevation of 307.415 meters above mean sea level. The region's climate is subtropical and semi-arid, with scorching summers a monsoon season from June to October and mild winters. The average minimum temperature is 12.6 °C, while average maximum is 42.4 °C. Annual rainfall ranges between 740 to 860 mm.

Treatment details

The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments which were replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of ten different split fertigation schedules such as treatment T 1 i.e. RDF at 300:200:200 kg/ha in which 50% N and full dose of P and K applied at planting and remaining 50% N in three splits at the 2, 4, and 6 leaf stages respectively are applied as a straight fertilizers, treatment T 2 i.e. NPK at 300:200:200 kg/ha in 13 splits by fertigation at 10 days interval from 10 DAP. Treatment T 3 to treatment T 10 50% of NPK at 150: 100: 100 kg/ha is applied through conventional fertilizers as basal dose at the time of planting and the remaining 50% of NPK 150: 100: 100 kg/ha splitting through water soluble fertilizers. Treatments T 3 , T 4 , T 5 and T 6 were applied by fertigation with NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha in 12, 11, 10 and 9 splits, respectively, at 10 days interval starting from 20, 30, 40 and 50 DAP, respectively. Similarly, treatments T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ were also given NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha through fertigation in 8, 7, 6 and 5 splits respectively at 10-day intervals starting from 20, 30, 40 and 50 DAP, respectively. The result obtained in respect of growth are summarized below.

The result obtained in respect of growth are summarized below.

Treatment

Fertilizer Dose T1 RDF at 300:200:200 kg/ha in which 50% N and full dose of P and K was applied at planting and remaining 50% N applied in three splits at the 2, 4, and 6 leaf stages respectively as a straight fertilizers. NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha in 5 splits by fertigation at 10 days interval from 50 DAP Note: T3 to T10 50% NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha is applied through conventional fertilizers as basal dose at the time of planting and remaining 50% of NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha splitting through water soluble fertilizers.

Results and Discussion

Days required for sprouting of corms and 50% sprouting

The data regarding the days required for sprouting of corms and 50% sprouting for both years of study and pooled basis is summarized in Table 1. Results pertaining to split fertigation schedules indicates that application of RDF with split fertigation have no significant effect on days required for sprouting of corms and 50% sprouting of corms. All split fertigation schedules recorded almost similar sprouting percentage of corms in both years of research and pooled analysis.

Plant height

The data with respect to plant height (Table 1) indicates that split fertigation schedules significantly influenced plant height at 30, 60 and 90 DAP. Treatment T 7 i.e. NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha applied in 8 splits through fertigation at 10 days interval from 20 DAP recorded the highest plant height (61.76, 101.85 and 102.15 cm at 30, 60 and 90 DAP respectively) and remained statistically at par with T 2 at all stages. The lowest plant height (50.52, 79.15 and 87.30 cm respectively) was recorded under T 1 i.e. RDF at 300:200:200 kg/ha in which 50% N and full dose of P and K applied at planting and remaining 50% N in three splits at the 2, 4, and 6 leaf stages respectively are applied as a straight fertilizers. The increased plant height under T 7 may be attributed to the continuous and balanced supply of nutrients through fertigation, which enhanced nutrient availability and uptake throughout the crop growth period. Frequent application of fertilizers in smaller doses improved nutrient use efficiency, promoted cell division and elongation and supported steady vegetative growth. Similar findings were reported by Baladha et al. (2020) [1] , Pooja et al. (2022) [9] , Singh and Dhatt (2023) [15] and Prasad et al. (2023) [10] in gladiolus. [12] , Prasad et al. (2023) [10] , Munikrishnappa et al. (2002) [6] in tuberose and Qasim et al. (2008) [11] in rose.

Number of effective tillers per plant

The data indicates ( [6] in tuberose, Qasim et al. (2008) [11] in rose and Rajesh et al.

(2016) [12] and Prasad et al. (2023) [10] in gladiolus, who observed improved tillering and vegetative growth under fertigation.

Width of leaves

The data pertaining to leaf width ( (2010) [8] , Kumar and Misra (2011) [5] , Sahu et al. (2020) [13] and Khushwaha et al. (2024) [4] who observed improved leaf growth and vegetative development in gladiolus under optimum nutrient management and fertigation

Length of leaf

The data in Table 2 indicates leaf length was significantly influenced by different split fertigation schedules. Treatment T 7 i.e. at 150:100:100 kg/ha applied in 8 splits through fertigation at 10 days interval from 20 DAP recorded the maximum leaf length (102.00 cm), which was statistically at par with treatment T 2 (98.83 cm). Both treatments produced significantly longer leaves than the remaining treatments. The minimum leaf length (80.22 cm) was recorded in treatment T 6 i.e. NPK (150:100:100 kg/ha) in 9 splits by fertigation at 10 days interval from 50 DAP). The increased leaf length under treatment T 7 may be attributed to the continuous and adequate supply of nutrients through fertigation, particularly nitrogen, which plays a vital role in protein synthesis, cell division and vegetative growth. Improved nutrient availability throughout the growth period enhanced leaf expansion and elongation, resulting in longer leaves. Similar findings were reported by Patel et al. (2010) [8] , Kumar and Misra (2011) [5] , Chandana and Dorajeerao (2014) [2] , Khanam et al. (2017) [3] , Pooja et al. (2022) [9] and Khushwaha et al. (2024) [4] , who observed enhanced leaf growth and vegetative development in gladiolus under optimum nutrient management and fertigation practices.

Leaf area

Analysis of data obtained related to leaf area (Table 2) indicates that it was strongly affected by different split fertigation schedules. Maximum leaf area (151.52 cm2) was reported in treatment T 7 i.e. at 150:100:100 kg/ha applied in 8 splits through fertigation at 10 days interval from 20 DAP, which was statistically at par with T 2 (146.85 cm2).

Treatment T 1 i.e. RDF at 300:200:200 kg/ha in which 50% N and full dose of P and K applied at planting and remaining 50% N in three splits at the 2, 4, and 6 leaf stages respectively are applied as a straight fertilizer, recorded the minimum leaf area (138.43 cm2). The higher leaf area in T 7 can be explained by constant and balanced supply of fertigation, which increased nutrient uptake, photosynthesis and total plant growth. The timely supply of nitrogen and phosphorus stimulated cell division and leaf development, thus increasing leaf area. Similar observations were made by Kumar and Misra (2011) [5] , Chandana and Dorajeerao (2014) [2] , Thentu et al. (2015) [16] and Prasad et al. (2023) [10] in gladiolus.

Leaf area/plant

The data pertaining to leaf area per plant (Table 2) indicates treatments of different split fertigation schedules had significant effect. Treatment T 7 i.e NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha applied in 8 splits through fertigation at 10 days interval from 20 DAP recorded the maximum leaf area per plant (1393.89 cm²) which was statistically at par with T 2 (1274.83 cm²). The minimum leaf area per plant (1011.67 cm²) was recorded in T 1 i.e. RDF at 300:200:200 kg/ha in which 50% N and full dose of P and K applied at planting and remaining 50% N in three splits at the 2, 4, and 6 leaf stages respectively are applied as a straight fertilizers. The higher leaf area per plant observed under T 7 may be attributed to continuous and balanced supply of nutrients through fertigation, which promoted vigorous vegetative growth and enhanced leaf expansion. Improved availability and uptake of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, throughout the crop growth period resulted in increased photosynthetic surface area and overall plant growth. These findings are in agreement with the reports of Kumar and Misra (2011) [5] , Chandana and Dorajeerao (2014) [2] , Thentu et al. (2015) [16] , Prasad et al. (2023) [10] in gladiolus and Munikrishnappa et al. (2002) [6] in tuberose, who observed greater leaf development under efficient nutrient management and fertigation practices.

Conclusion

The present investigation demonstrated that split fertigation schedules had no significant influence on days required for corm sprouting and 50% sprouting in gladiolus cv. Dhanvantari. However, vegetative growth parameters were markedly improved by fertigation. Among the different treatments, treatment T₇ i.e. NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha applied through fertigation in eight splits at 10-day intervals starting from 20 DAP along with basal application of NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha through conventional fertilizers consistently recorded the maximum plant height, number of leaves, effective tillers, leaf width, leaf length, leaf area and leaf area per plant. Plant height at 60 and 90 DAP, number of leaves at 90 DAP, number of effective tillers, width of leaves, length of leaves, leaf area and leaf area per plant were found to be statistically at par with treatment T₂. Plant height at 30 DAP and number of leaves at 60 DAP were recorded statistically at par with T 2 and T 3 . The improved growth under treatment T₇ indicates that frequent application of nutrients in smaller doses enhances nutrient availability and uptake, resulting in better vegetative development and efficient fertilizer utilization. Therefore, fertigation with NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha in eight equal splits at 10 days interval from 20 DAP with basal dose of NPK at 150:100:100 kg/ha through conventional fertilizers can be recommended as an effective nutrient management practice for improving vegetative growth of gladiolus cv. Dhanvantari and other varieties.

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