GLADIOLUS BREEDING

Introduction
The name gladiolus derived from the Latin word, means a sword, on account of the sword like shape of the foliage given by Pliny the Elder (A.D. 23-79) The other name is 'sword lily 'Corn flag' is another common name in Europe because Gladiolus Illyricum is found wild as weed in the corn-fields Gladiolus primulinus is also known as 'waterfall gladiolus' as it was found growing near the Victoria Falls in the tropical forests of Africa It was introduced into cultivation towards the end of the 16th century in India, its cultivation dates back to nineteenth century

Importance and uses

Gladiolus fetches international cut flower trade Because of its magnificent inflorescence it is used in herbaceous borders, beddings, pots and for cut flowers For cut flowers, primulinus types are better as more spikes often come out from a corm and they may be planted in isolated borders Grandiflorus and primulinus types look very attractive in mixed flower borders, but primulinus types are preferred as these do not need staking, and so, are also good for bedding The pixiolas (miniatures like nanus, colvillei, byzantinus, grandis, tristis, etc.) are

preferred for forcing under glass or for growing in pots or bowls

 Uphof -consumed the corms of Gladiolus edulis by roasting in Bassa (Africa) G. quartinianus corms were used as food and as a cooking beverage The flowers of Gladiolus saundersii, G. ecklonii, G. papilio, G. cruentus and G. natalensis are used as salad after nipping off the anthers

It was found that the corms contained high amount of carbohydrates mostly as starch
(65.4 to 78.61%) and protein (12.6 to 18.5%) Gladiolus crassifolius is used for headache and lumbago (the whole plant is crushed,

heated and applied to the affected part)

Gladiolus saundersii (cooked corms) mixed with food is effective against diarrhoea The crushed and ground corms of Gladiolus ecklonii are decocted and drunk to get rid of rheumatism and allied pains

Origin and history

There are around 200 species scattered throughout the world. Large number of them belong to South Africa in the Cape region About 15 species grow only in north of Sahara No species is known to be native to India. Since the days of ancient Greece, the gladioli are said to be cultivated History reveals that it is known since 1578, first introduced into France and soon after spread to England, Germany, Holland and North America No evidence was available on cultivation of any species of gladiolus of South African origin

 Gladiolus aethiopian was described first by Comutrs, is from Cape region bearing light

red-scarlet flowers
Around the middle of the 18th century the first South African species were introduced. Gladiolus tristis, a sweet-scented species closely related to G. grandis, was first

introduced to UK in 1745
Gladiolus illyricus native to Mediterranean region was later on found growing in England. Gladiolus grandis from South Africa was naturalized in Spain

Taxonomy
Botanical name Gladiolus L. Family Iridaceae n=15 Lewis et al. (1972) divided the genus Gladiolus into four groups Section I: Eugladiolus - 100 species of Europe, Western Asia, Tropical and South Africa Section II: Habea -12 species of South Africa (Cape Peninsula) and Madagascar Section III: Schweiggeria -2 species from Cape Section IV: Homoglossum -five or six species of South Africa

Plurifoliati
It contains 22 species, having 5-8 or more well developed leaves, Distichously(growing in rows) arranged, forming a fan Ex: Gladiolus cardinalis (Cape), G. sempervirens (Cape), G. cruentus (Natal and Lesotho), G. saundersii (Natal and Lesotho) having red or scarlet colour flower and G. oppositiflorus (Cape) with flowers white or pink.in colour

Paucifoliati
It contains 34 species, having 2-5 well developed leaves, distichously or spirally arranged, Examples Gladiolus stellatus (Cape) with fragrant, whitish to pale mauve

G. gueinzii (Cape and Natal) with pink, marked with purple

G. acuminatus (Cape) with fragrant, dull greenish yellow G. lapeirousiodes (Cape) with white, with the flower lobes each bearing 2 red blotches

G. leptoszphon (Cape) wirh cream to cream-brown

G. vigilans (Cape) with pale rose-pink G. carneus (Cape) with white, cream, pink or mauve

G. macneilii (Transvaal) with pale salmon-pink

G. microcarpus (Natal) with whitish, pink or mauve colored flowers

Unifoliati
It contains 29 speicies, having one well developed basal leaf, the following reduced, bract like with short blades, spirally arranged on the scapes Gladiolus brevitubus (Cape) with pale pink or red color G. quadrangulus (Cape) wth fragrant, white to pale blue or pinkish mauve G. citrinus (Cape) with bright yellow G. tenellus (Cape) with fragrant, yellow, cream or white tinged purple G. oreocharis (Cape) with white to mauve G. inflatus (Cape) with pale, pink or mauve G. robertsoniae (Transvaal) with fragrant, mauve or white tinged pale mauve

Exfoliati
It contains 24 species, absence of developed leaves (or leaf) at the time of flowering, the scape bearing 1-3 (or 4) sheathing bracts without or with small free blades. Examples

Gladiolus stefaniae (Cape) with red

G. stokoei (Cape) with scarle G. nerineoides (Cape) with pale salmon-pink to deep golden red G. guthriei (Cape) with fragrant, deep pink or reddish G. carmineus (Cape) with deep rose-pink or carmine, with a white or cream median stripe G. monticola (Cape) with cream colour tinged pink G. maculatus (Cape) with fragrant, yellow, pink or white, streaked and spotted with brown, purple or red

G. carneus

G. abreviatus

G. alatus

G. appendiculatus

G. bullatus

G. carinatus

G. crassifolius

G. cunonius

G. dalenii

G. debilis

G. gracilis

G. liliaceus

G. hirsutus

G. hirsutus

G. macneilii

G. papilio

G. patersoniae

G. permeabilis

G. scabridus

G. teretifolius

G. teretifolius

G. teretifolius

G. trichonemifolius

G. bullatus

G. trichonemifolius

G. tristis

G. watsonius

G. tristis

G. vigilans

G. accuminatus

G. rogersii

G. carneus

G. gueinzil

G. leptosiphon

G. stellatus

G. illyricus G. quartinianus G. crassifolius G. crassifolius

G. aethiopian G. ecklonii G. natalensis G. cruentus

Classification
It lacks universal synchrony for its classification because the Europeans, New Zealanders (also follow Australian system) and Asians used to classify them on the size of the flowers, i.e., (i) Grandiflorus (large or exhibition type) height of 90 to 150 cm, strong and erect stalks, bearing 14 to 20 cm closely arranged, triangular and symmetrical flowers, coming up late in the season (ii) Primulinus which is free flowering and daintier than the grandiflorus, growing to a height of one metre, bearing flowers 5 to 10 cm across with mostly hooded florets of soft colours, blooming generally in the mid-season

 Butterflies which are up to 1.25 meter, bearing medium-sized flowers spaced closely and marked with attractive blotches and throat markings Miniature growing to a height of 75 to 90 cm, with flowers 5 to 7.5 cm across, similar in arrangements to the prims but frequently ruffled and flowering early.

The Australians classify these into formals, informal, intermediates and miniatures.
American system of classification is universal in application which is now being used everywhere as it is more scientific and comprehensive

 This is based on 3-digit system which originated in 1940's. First digit (from 1 to 5) represents floral size, second (0 to 9) the basic hue or colour and third (0 to 9) the depth of colour. The For example, '498 Brown Orchid' Baxter: 64 means the cultivar Brown Orchid was bred by Baxter, released in 1964 and is of large size (11.4 to 14.0 cm floret size) which has inconspicuous deep smoky coloring of the flowers, mostly towards the brown type.

Size and colour classifications of gladiolus as designated by Gladiolus council- Wilfret(1980).

Class* 100 200 300 400 500

Designation Miniature Small or miniature Decorative Standard or large Giant

Floret size (cm) <6.4 > 6.4 to 8.9 > 8.9 to 11.4 > 11.4 to 14.0 > 14.0

* The first digit indicates floret size in the five classes

Cultivars
In different literatures about 30000 cultivars may be traced out. Some good cultivars according to flower colour are,

White: Althena, Bush Balland, Cotton Blossom, Dream Girl, Eastern Star, Gambier
Pearl, Icicle, Jennifer, Lipstick, Lunar Moth, Marjorie Ann, Melissa, Mighty Mite, Moon Frost, Morning Bride, Simplicity, Snowdrop, Snow Dust, Super StarWhite, Enchantress,

White Friendship, White Oak, White Wonder, etc.

Green: Armstrong, Green Bay, Green Bird, Green Giant, Green Woodpecker, Green
Willow, Emerald Isle, Forest Glade, Lemon Lime, Mint Julip, Oasis, etc.

 Cream: Ariette, Bonnie, Classmate, Cream Topper, Crinkled Wrinkles, Dairy Queen, Dew Drop, Lady Bountiful, Landmark, Pale Moon

Yellow: Aurora, Brightsides Chinese Lantern, Fatima, Folksong, Golden Harvest,

Golden Peach, Junior Prom, Lemon Ruffles, Limelight, Morning Sun, Nugget Royal Gold

Buff: Adventure, Apricot Delight, Apricot Lustre, Bit O'Honey, Fashin, Happy Birthday,
Honeycomb, Illuminator, Mikado, Novelette, Perky, Royal Buff

Orange: Autumn Glow, Coral Seas, Fiesta, Fox fire, Gypsy Dancer, Orange Beauty,
Orange Chiffon, Setting Sun, Tangerine, etc

 Salmon: Atom, Big Daddy, Brigadier Cliffie, Frilled Champion, Goliath, Heritage,
Parade, Memento, Salmon Queen, Sister Fortuna

Violet: Angel Eyes, Blue Bird, Blue Isle, Blue Hawaii, Blue Mist, Blue Ruffles, China
Blue, Delphine, Eternal City, Her Majesty, Linda Ruth, Province, Tropic Seas, etc.

Tan: Hastings, Little Fawn, Table Talk, Tapestry Smoky: Autumn Charm, Autumn Sensation, Aztec Chief, Blue Smoke, Cosmic, Misty
Eyes, Misty Mom, Piccolo, etc.

Brown:: Autumn Sensation, Brown Beauty, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Dip, Chocolette,
Mystic Glow, Little Tiger, etc.

Cultivars evolved in India: Apsara, Aarati, Mayur, Poonam, Mohini, Suchitra, etc

Genetics and breeding

Genetics-inheritance of characters: For breeding a particular colour or form, the same type of parents were chosen with much probability for getting alikes

Correlation studies revealed that: spike length had a positive association with days to
shoot emergence, leaf breadth, florets per spike, rachis length, inter nodal length, size of floret and size and weight of corms

Number of spikes per corm, florets per spike and rachis length had high and positive direct
effects on spike length

Days to sprouting, plant height, leaves/plant, days to flowering and floret size was

predominantly controlled by additive and additive epistatic components of genetic

variance No. of shoots and No. of cormels was attributed to additive gene effects

Breeding Objectives
1. Plant height 2.Stem types such as slenderness and flexibility to high wind 3. Spike length 4. Bud counts and compactness 5. Flower size and shape and fragrance

6. Flower placement and facing

7. Texture and frilling, side spikes 8. Corm multiplication and 9. Resistance to diseases and pests

Methods of breeding
Introduction and Selection, Hybridization & Mutation Breeding Introduction and selection: Some of the exotic varieties were introduced at different

Central and State Research Centers and Agricultural Universities in India.

The Regional Fruit Research Station, Mashobra, Simla, HP Anne Virginia, Blaur Domino, Cardinal Spellman , Double Frills of Pink, Exotic Double

Sister Eliz Fenny Lind , 'Florence Nightingale', 'Gold Dust', 'Hawaii', 'Hill Crest', 'Kenny',
'King Lear', la Paloma', 'Oklahoma', `Psittacinus hybrid'

At the IARI, New Delhi- seven varieties northern plain conditions

'Apple Blossom', 'George Mazure', `Goeff Whiteman', `Jo Wagenaar', 'Patricia', `Pfitzer's
Sensation, 'Snow Princess At Regional Station, Shimla 'Apple Blossom', 'Australian Fair', 'Blue Lilac', 'Camellia', 'Debonair', 'Fred Tucker', 'Friendship', 'George Mazure', 'Geliber Herald', `Goeff Whiteman', 'Green Woodpecker', 'G.S. Porter', `Jo Wagenaar', 'Lady Killer', 'Life Flame', 'Lincoln's Day', 'Old Gold', 'Oscar', 'Pactolus', 'Patricia', 'Prof. Goudrin', 'Rose Spire', 'Sam Smith', 'Scheherzade', 'Snow Princess', 'Stormy Weather', 'Sylvia', 'Thunderbird', 'Vink's Glory' and 'Winter Gladioli' and four miniature varieties like 'Canberra', 'Jolly Jocker', Psittacinus hybrid' and 'Red Canna

The IIHR, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore- Eleven varieties,

'Beauty Spot', 'Cherry Blossom', 'Friendship', 'Jo Wagenaar', 'Melody', 'Picardy', 'Snow Princess', `Tintorente', 'Tropic Seas', 'Watermelon Pink' and 'Wild Rose

Hybridization
Its being hermaphrodite-male& female organs in the same flower The desired combinations are made by choosing either of the parents as male or female.

Flowers start opening after the sunset & open fully in the morning with a few exceptions,
e.g., cv. setting Sun which normally opens by 11.00 am, in cloudy days, it opens even by evening

The dehiscence of anthers occurs between 8.00 and 9.30 am following anthesis. Stigma
receptivity stayed for 24 hours

Certain species - nyctinastic movements, as Gladiolus floribundus closes its segments at night, whereas G. tristis opens fully in the evening

Emasculation and pollination, both are done in the morning

 Emasculation is carried out at bud stage when these have started swelling for opening.

After pollination, the flowers are bagged with perforated butter paper bags and tagged
with labels mentioning the parents and the date of pollination Capsules mature generally within four to six weeks of pollination

When capsule start dehiscing are collected, sun-dried, sometimes de winged and stored
in moisture-proof envelopes until sowing

Achievements
A large number of hybrids were raised at the IIHR, Bangalore
These hybrids were evaluated thoroughly for various vegetative and floral characteristics for 2-3 seasons Based on the performance in the replicated trials, six hybrids released as `Meera', `Nazrana', 'Poonam' and `Sapna, `Aarti' and 'Apsara'

At IIHR 6 hybrids were developed

Meera (G P 1 x Friendship) Nazrana (Black Jack x Friendship) Poonam (Geliber Herald x R.N. 121) Sapna (Green Woodpecker x Friendship) Aarti (Shirley X Melody) Apsara (Black Jack x Friendship).

At IARI 4 hybrids were developed

Agni Rekha (Open-pollinated seedling of cv. 'Sylvia), Mayur (Open-pollinated seedling of cv. 'Sylvia), Pusa suhagin (Open-pollinated seedling of cv. 'Sylvia) Suchitra (Sylvia x Jo Wagenaar).

At NBRI 22 hybrids were developed

Archana ('Sylvia' x 'Friendship), Arun ('Sylvia' x 'Fancy)

Basant Bahar (Self-pollinated seedling of cv. `Tunia's Challenge) Gazer (Seedling of cv. 'White Friendship)

Indrani (Friendship' x G. tristis)

Hans ('Friendship' x G. tristis) Jwala (Seedling of G. psittacinus hybrid) Walima (Open-pollinated seedling of cv. 'Sylvia) Kohra (Sylvia' x 'King Lear) Manhar ('Friendship' x G. tristis) Manisha ('Friendship' x G. tristis)

Manmohan (Friendship' x G. tristis)

Manohar ('Friendship' x G. tristis) Mohini ('Friendship' x G. tristis)

Others are Mridula, Mukta, Pitambar, Priyadarshini , Sada Bahar, Sanyukta, Smita, Triloki

Mutation breeding
Many cultivars are available in commerce by spontaneous mutation and only a few through induced ones Two such sports (spontaneous) have been reported in the cvs. Salman's Sensation and Ratna's Butterfly. Shobha' (Mutant of cv. 'Wild Rose') Yellow Picardy Misra treated the corms of the varieties Jo Wagenaar', 'Oscar' and 'Picardy' with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kR of gamma rays A number of variations such as bi coloration of petals, increase in the number of floral parts, formation of twin flowers, russetting of florets, leaf variegation and deformities, stem branching, plant stunting etc. were observed

At IIHR, Bangalore Four varieties were developed

They treated with ethyl methane sulphonate (1-6%), 'Beauty Spot', `Mansoer', 'Melody' and 'Jo Wagenaar One mutant having Vermilion colour with purple and Barium Yellow blotch was

observed in the variety 'Beauty Spot' in 5% treatment

Some variations in throat colour and placement of florets on rachis were observed in the variety 'Melody'

Breeding For Disease Resistance

The major limitation in commercial cultivation of gladiolus is a wilt disease caused by
Fusarium oxysporum Schl. f. sp. Gladioli reported by Snyd. & Hans Hence, breeding for resistance to fusarium wilt is of great importance Misra observed the varieties Debonair', 'Golden Goddess', `Jo Wagenaar', `Katrain Local' and `Ratna's Butterfly' were found to be resistant to Fusarium wilt Crosses involving these varieties were made in thirteen combinations and a large number of hybrid seedlings were raised and screened under field conditions

Hybrids developed are,

SGH-13 ( 'Pfitzer's Sensation' x 'Golden Goddess') SGH-6 ('Jo Wagenaar' x 'Pfitzer's Sensation') SGH-20 (Debonair' x `Pfitzer's Sensation') SGH-30 ('Ratna's Butterfly' x 'Pfitzer's Sensation') were found to be tolerant.

Breeding For Fragrance

Gladiolus cultivars have beautiful florets, but they are without fragrance Attempts were made to incorporate gene (s) for fragrance from G. callianthus (Acidanthera bicolor var. murieliae) Rao and Janakiram reported to have produced inters-pecific hybrids between Gladiolus L. cultivars and G. callianthus with mild fragrance.