Integrated use of NPK fertilizer with FYM influences growth, floral attributes, soil fertility and nutrient uptake of gladiolus in an Inceptisol of semi-arid tropics

Various combinations of farmyard manure (FYM), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) were evaluated to optimize their levels for growth, yield and nutrient uptake of Gladiolus hybridus Hort. cv. Trader Horn grown under open field conditions. The field trials were conducted during two cropping seasons (201314 & 2014-15) in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of three levels of FYM (0, 5 and 10 t ha(-1)); four levels, each of N (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha(-1)), P and K (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha(-1)), respectively. The results showed substantial improvement in morphological and floral characteristics of gladiolus with increasing levels of FYM and NPK dosage. The nutrient consortium, FYM 10 t ha(-1) and 300, 120 and 120 kg NPK ha(-1) (T-1) were found to be most effective in enhancing plant height (142.0 cm), number of leaves (8.9), spike length (115.1 cm), rachis length (72.0 cm), florets per spike (17.4) and spike yield m(-2) (19.1). These experiments also showed that balanced application of N, P and K significantly promoted the soil fertility and plant nutrient uptake.