Effect of foliar sprays of biostimulants on growth and flowering of carnation cv. Sunrise

The present studies entitled "Effect of foliar sprays of biostimulants on growth and flowering of carnation cv. Sunrise were carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P) during February to September 2007. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 17 treatment combinations replicated thrice with 10 plants per replication. Treatment combinations consists of biostimulants i.e 2%, 4% and 6% soloutions of Panchagavya and Manchurian mushroom tea each with two controls. Plants grown in 6% Panchagavya + 6% Manchurian mushroom tea recorded maximum plant height(71.00cm), stem length (64.77 cm),number of flowers(6.60), flower size (4.99 cm), vase life (15.30 days) and ‘A’ grade flowers based on stem strength (100%) and length (100%). Minimum days taken to flower (173.47 days) were recorded with 4% Panchagavya + 6% Manchurian mushroom tea. Minimum duration of flowering (23.57 days) was recorded with 6% Panchagavya + 6% Manchurian mushroom tea. Minimum calyx splitting (0.00%) was observed with 6% Manchurian mushroom tea. Panchagavya (4%) resulted in minimum (0.00%) incidence of disease.