Introducing Superior Cultivars of Gladiolus by Important Quality and Quantity Indexes

Suitable selection of cultivars is a major determinant of the quantity and quality of bulbous flowers in Iran’s climatic conditions. In order to introduce superior cultivars of gladiolus to be grown in the temperate regions of Iran, the present experiment was carried out in a complete randomized block design (CRBD) in three replications with five cultivars of gladiolus including ‘Roma’, ‘Wiss Sensatiow’, ‘Nova Lux’, ‘Amsterdam’ and ‘White Prosperity’ in a greenhouse at the Ornamental Plants Research Center (OPRC) in Mahallat, Iran. Results indicated that cultivars differed significantly in all studied traits. The highest plant height and the highest number and weight of cormlets were observed in ‘Amsterdam’. The highest leaf length and width, number of florets, spike length, and stem diameter were observed in ‘Wiss Sensatiow’. Also, ‘Roma’ exhibited the longest vase life (9.66 days), the heaviest corms (40.80 g), the highest corm diameter (56 mm) and the highest floret diameter (9.25 cm). The correlation analysis between variables revealed a positive and significant correlation between the diameter and weight of the main corm (r= +0.92) and between spike and leaf length (r= + 0.98). ‘Roma’ and ‘Wiss Sensatiow’ had the best flower and corm traits. So, they are recommended as alternative to some older cultivars (like ‘White Prosperity’) as they may have higher marketability in Iran.