Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005 (Karnataka)
Online published on 22 December, 2011.
An experiment was carried out under naturally ventilated polyhouse to evaluate ten varieties of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) for flowering and flower quality parameters. Varieties Diana (65.58 days), Yellow Firato (79.42 day) and Aicardi (80.51 day) were found early to initiate flower buds and opening of flower buds. Among the flower quality parameters, flower stalk length was highest in variety Yellow Firato (97.90 cm), followed by Diana (89.8 cm), Firato(89.4 cm) and Pink Shiva (86.8 cm), whereas the girth of flower stalks was found to behighest in variety Pink Shiva (5.07 cm), followed by Guadiana (4.78 cm) and Viking (4.67 cm). Varieties Gaudina (7.55 cm), Aicardi (7.46 cm), Alibaba (7.25 cm) and Diana (6.74 cm) recorded higher diameter of flowers. Number of petals recorded was highest in variety Guadiana (74.18), Aicardi (70.53) and Alibaba (70.19). Pink Shiva (15.18 day), Aicardi (14.88 day) Guadina (11.85 day) and Viking (11.65 day) recorded longer life in vase. The weight of flower was highest in variety Pink Shiva (35.08g), followed by Gaudina (30.57g), Viking (29.34g) and Firato (28.14g). The best quality flowers with respect to the all flower traits,were obtained in Diana, Yellow Firato, Firato, Aicardi and Pink Shiva.
Carnation, cut flower, polyhouse
