Evaluating gladiolus varieties for off-season planting using agro-meteorological indices

Commercial floriculture is an emerging profitable agro industry in the world with great demand of cut flowers but a constraint to regulate supply for longer duration markets. The off-season plucked get better price, as glut during peak season affects profits. This could be achieved by cultivating varieties over wide range planting times which demands evaluation varietal performance under different sowing windows. present study was conducted five gladiolus viz. Punjab glance, lemon delight, Novalux, Rose supreme and Alexander planted at six dates starting from 5thJuly 20th September 15 days interval. All gave best terms flowering, plant height, spike length, number florets per spike, vase life corms corm when on (nearest normal season).The growth all affected early plantings they produced taller plants shorter spikes, reduced life; took more flower, accumulated growing degree (GDD), helio thermal units (HTU) photothermal (PTU). spikes comparable quality that depicts their tolerance unfavourable temperature photoperiod. characteristic used breeding programmes development efficiently channelize heat production grown diverse climatic zones. glance delight par respective plantings. Thus, these will lead this time farmers can fetch good price.