Growth and Flowering of Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) Grown Under Different Organic Production Systems

Abstract

The study was conducted from October 2013 to February 2014 at Ornamental Horticulture Research area, in Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet to determine the effect of different kinds of organic production practices on the growth and flowering of gladiolus for cutflower production and to determine the economics of using the different organic production practices in gladiolus cut flower production. Gladiolus cv. Red Majesty had the earliest flower development from flower bud formation to harvesting stage and longer stems of cutflowers per plant. Plants grown with farmers practice promoted earlier flower bud formation, earlier flower development from flower bud formation to harvesting, had highest number of florets per spike at harvest, had the longest length of floral spike and produced the longest cutflower stem. It is economical to use in gladiolus cutflower production due to high Return on Cash Expenses (ROCE) which was 132.07%. Based on the findings of the study using PCM organic production practices is recommended for organic gladiolus cutflower production since it had improved vegetative and reproductive growth and increased cutflower yield of gladiolus plants; and have a ROCE of 123.71% which was slightly lower than that of the control or farmers practice which had a ROCE of 132.07% .