Yield of carnation as influenced by levels of fertigation and sources of nutrients of growing standard carnation cv. Trendy under cost greenhouse

In an experiment conducted to study the effect of levels of fertigation and sources of nutrients on growth, flowering and quality of standard carnation var. Trendy employed with two sources i.e. straight (Urea, SSP and MOP) and water-soluble of fertilizers and three levels (100, 80 and 60 per cent) of fertigation were tried in factorial RCBD with four replications. Application of 80 per cent of the recommenced dose of fertilizers i.e. 200:48:160g N, P₂O₅ and K₂O/m²/annum in water soluble form not only resulted in producing higher cumulative yield of first grade (265.36/m²) and a lowest cumulative yield of second grade (3.02/m²) cut flowers coupled with lowest per cent yield of first and second grade cut flowers during winter and summer and highest cumulative yield of first grade cut flowers (11.06/plant/annum and 265.36 m²). Eighty per cent recommended dose of fertilizers applied in water soluble form produced higher number of petals (67.25/flower head) and increased the diameter of cut flowers (5.97 cm) during winter season. Application of 80 per cent of recommended dose in the form of water soluble fertilizers finally resulted in the maximum revenue (Rs. 1, 06,748/100 m²/annum), net profit (Rs. 72,213/100 m²/annum) and benefit: cost ratio (2.09).