PAU to popularise hybrid varieties of gladiolus

Ludhiana, May 16 (UNI) Punjab Agricultural University, one of the national germplasm centres for research on gladiolus, has strengthened its research programme on developing improved varieties of the popular bloom together with standardising matching production and protection technologies.

Dr Ramesh Kumar Sadawarti, Head, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, said here today that of the 35 reciprocal crosses made, as many as 12 have bloomed this season.

The blooms displayed diverse colour combinations of which as many as three promising types have been identified which would be pushed for release as these are under advance stage of evaluation with respect to their horticultural traits as well as reaction to pests and diseases, he said.

Being easy to adapt and amenable to convenient handling, gladiolus is becoming popular flower with the growers. To advance the process of gladiolus breeding, off-season growing and evaluation in hills is followed to give a desired push to the hybridization programme, Dr Sadawarti said.

The university has already released 9 different varieties of Gladiolus namely, Sylvia (red), Melody (pink), Snow Princess (White), Suchitra (soft pink), Mayur (purple), Sancerre (white), White Prosperity (white), Eurovision (red) and Nova Lux (yellow) which have been well received by the flower growers of the state, he said.

The research programme on gladiolus is ongoing at PAU since 1975 since when a huge germplasm comprising 87 indigenous and exotic genotypes have been maintained in the department.

Dr Poonam, involved in the gladiolus breeding programme at PAU, said different colour combinations together with varied forms and quality of spikes can be obtained to suit the prevailing trends of flower enthusiasts.

UNI JN BP1052