PJB-2019-1027
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF GLADIOLUS TO LOW TEMPERATURE STRESS AND MITIGATING EFFECTS FOR QUALITY PRODUCTION
Muhammad Mazhar Qayyum
Abstract
Temperature plays a crucial role in growth rate and development of plant. In flowering crops, low temperature damages plant metabolic process. Low temperature spoils the quality of gladiolus cut flowers. In order to avoid low temperature stress for quality production of gladiolus in longer period during growing season, poly tunnel is used. The poly tunnel is convenient to increase the temperature inside during extreme cold season. Randomized complete block design was used to carry out experiment. Temperature is positively correlated with gladiolus growth indices. Protective field conditions enhanced temperature level that resulted in significantly improved vegetative and floral growth, biochemical properties, physiological response and flower quality attributes when compared to open field. Longer spikes length, maximum number of leaves per plant, more leaf area, maximum spike diameter, more number of florets per spike, larger diameter of flower, more fresh and dry weight, higher photosynthetic rate and less days to taken flowering, were obtained during November and December under poly tunnel conditions. Chlorophyll contents and transpiration rate were significantly increased during early warm months. Stomatal conductance was not significantly changed. More antioxidant enzyme (POD and CAT) activities were recorded and less electrolyte leakage due to which vase life remained higher in November and December under protective planting conditions. Moreover, gladiolus cut flowers quality features were significantly improved in poly tunnel during January and February. Gladiolus cut flowers quality features were significantly improved in protective growing conditions due to reducing low temperature stress. Protective growing conditions mitigated low temperature stress in cold months and significantly enhanced yield as well as quality characteristics of gladiolus cut flowers.
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