Effect of boron on calyx splitting in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus Linn.).

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of boron on calyx splitting in carnation var. Madame Collette. Three different doses of borax were applied in soil and as foliar spray from one month after planting at fortnightly intervals till bud initiation and thereafter at weekly intervals up to harvesting. The study revealed that foliar application of 0.1 per cent borax after one month of planting at fortnightly intervals till bud initiation and weekly intervals thereafter showed significant improvement in plant growth, flower attributes and controlling on calyx split in carnation. The plant height, number of leaves per plant and number of laterals per plant, bud length, bud circumference, flower diameter, duration of flowering, number of flowers per plant, flower yield per m2, strength, length and girth of flower stalk were observed to be maximum during harvest with the above treatment. However days first bud initiation and bud opening were found to be minimum in this treatment. Enhancement in the flower quality with lowest calyx splitting percentage of 3.13 was noticed with foliar application of 0.1 per cent borax one month after planting till bud initiation and on weekly intervals thereafter. Hence, application of 0.1 percent borax one month after planting till bud initiation and weekly intervals thereafter upto harvesting proved to be beneficial to produce higher yield of standard quality flowers.