COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT PINCHING APPROACHES ON VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE GROWTH OF CARNATION (Dianthus caryophyllus)

-1 were sprayed for the purpose. Plants were compact and dwarf with increased number of shoots and maximum number of flowers, when treated with higher level of cycocel (1000 mg L -1 ) but leaf count and flower size were negatively affected. Dwarfness, number of branches and reduction in leaf area were directly correlated with the concentration of chemicals. Branch size increased with a concomitant reduction in number of branches plant -1 . Pinching delayed flowering and shortened the blooming period, while pinching and both chemicals decreased flower size considerably. Lower level of alar (200 mg L -1 ) proved ineffective but higher concentration (400 mg L -1 ) had remarkable effects on different vegetative and floral