Evaluation of standard carnation cultivars for their flowering flower quality and yield parameters under protected cultivation

Investigations were carried out with nine cultivars of carnation to know the performance of cultivars with respect to flowering, flower quality and yield parameters. Cultivars Desio, Sorisso, Madame Collette and were early to flower, whereas cultivars Pirandello and Aicardi were late to initiate flower bud. Cultivars Aicardi, Alma, Candy, West Pretty and Madame Collette had maximum flowering duration as compared to other cultivars. The flower stalk length was highest in cultivar Pirandello, whereas the girth of flower stalk was highest in cultivar Sugar Baby followed by Madame Collette, Alma and West Pretty. Number of petals per flower was highest in cultivar Alma followed by West Pretty, Aicardi and Sorisso. Cultivars Alma, Desio, Aicardi, West Pretty and Madame Collette recorded higher vase life of flowers. Cultivars Madame Collette, Sugar Baby, Aicardi and Pirandello recorded higher flower weight. Only two cultivars Sorisso and Madame Collette had fragrance. In general high quality flowers were obtained in Madame Collette, West Pretty, Desio, Aicardi and Alma. With respect to yield, cvs. Madame Collette, West Pretty, Desio and Aicardi found superior in terms of number of flowers per plant and per meter square.