The effect of chitosan application on growth, development, decorative value and yield of Gladiolus hybridus Hort. corms
2025
Piotr Żurawik
Along with roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums, Gladiolus hybridus Hort. is an important ornamental plant species cultivated worldwide for cut flowers with long vase life. The study was conducted outdoors, in uncovered soil, in the years 2022–2023. The plant material consisted of daughter corms of five Gladiolus hybridus Hort. cultivars: Frizzled Coral Lace, Limoncello, Mon Amour, Nova Lux, and Peter Pears. The study used chitosan with a molecular weight of 6000 g ∙ mol–1 at a concentration of 0.4%. The compound was applied by soaking the corms before planting and spraying or watering the plants. The corms were planted into the ground in the third decade of May. During the vegetation period, the course of the development phases was assessed, vegetative and generative traits were measured, and the corm yield was evaluated at the end of cultivation. Chitosan determined the course of the development phases, but this depended on the cultivar traits and the application method. The plants treated with chitosan grew taller and produced more leaves, but they did not differ in the number and diameter of the developed flowers from those not exposed to the biostimulant. Other vegetative and generative traits largely depended on the method of chitosan application. Watering and spraying demonstrated the most beneficial effect of the methods evaluated. Regardless of the method of delivering chitosan to the gladioli, it resulted in a higher weight growth index in the daughter corms.
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