Effect of different chemicals on spike length and quality of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) flowers cv. Red Domingo

The experiment was conducted to find out the effect of different chemicals on spike length and quality of cut flowers of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) during 2009 at ASPEE Collage of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari. The chemicals like sucrose, 8HQC, aluminum sulphate and citric acid were used. There were 15 treatments comprising three spike length and five chemicals along with their all possible combinations. Three spike length were: L₁-30 cm, L₂-45 cm and L₃-60 cm, with five chemicals were: C₁-sucrose 4%, C₂-sucrose (4%) + 8-HQC (200 mg/litre), C₃-sucrose (4%) + Al₂(SO₄)₃ (100 mg/litre), C₄-sucrose (4%) + citric acid (200 mg/litre) and C₅-control (distilled water) in a completely randomized design with factorial concept. The treatments were repeated thrice. Different spike length and chemicals, 60 cm spike length and sucrose 4% + 8-HQC 200 mg/litre were found to be the most beneficial for improving vase-life. Similar trend was observed on quality parameters such as fresh weight, solution uptake and flower diameter. In combination of 60 cm spike length and sucrose 4% + 8-HQC 200 mg/litre all quality parameters found significant on 12^th day. While, colour and freshness were excellent in the same combination throughout the period of investigation.