Vol. 10, Issue 7 (2021)

Author(s):
Jawaharlal M, Karthikeyan S and Ganesh S

Abstract:
Carnation is one of the popular cut flower and gaining more importance in the floriculture trade. The research on standardization of precision production technologies of carnation comprising of growing media consortia, planting density, planting stage, pinching techniques, calyx splitting disorder management are important components for production of quality carnation cut flowers. Growing media consortium at the ratio of 10:1:1 (30 kg of consortia) with 25 kg of farm yard manure, 2.5 kg of vermicompost, 2.5 kg of cocopeat with biofertilizers viz., azospirillum, phosphobacteria, VAM and biocontrol agents namely Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens added each @ 20 g/m² at bimonthly intervals is the best growing medium to achieve favourable flower yield. The research experimental study on planting density with treatment with 15 X 15 cm spacing having 36 plants in a sq.m area may convincingly be followed for obtaining more number of flowers per plant in unit area and value in terms of economic value of the crop. The experiment on planting stage and pinching level for treatment T₈ with 30 day old rooted cuttings + Single pinch at the 5^th node proved to be the best in terms of number of flowers per plant (6.00, 8.30 & 5.40) and flower yield per sq.m. area (216.00, 298.80 & 194.40). Management of calyx splitting is achieved with the foliar application of 0.1 per cent borax at fortnightly intervals till flower bud initiation and at weekly intervals thereafter could reduce percentage calyx split and enhance the yield and quality of flowers.