RESPONSE OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF CARNATION (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) TO PINCHING AND BORON

An investigation was carried out to study the response of different varieties of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) to pinching and boron under natural ventilated polyhouse during 2014-2015. Experimental results revealed that all the recorded parameters were significantly influenced by variety, pinching and boron. Variety Baltico recorded significantly highest plant height, number of shoots and internodal length, while flowering parameters like days to first flower bud initiation and days to 50 per cent flowering were significantly minimum in Penelope. Variety Penelope also recorded maximum internodes per stem, duration of flowering and flowers per plant. The maximum diameter of flower bud, flower diameter, stalk girth, stalk length, in situ longevity, vase life of flowers; minimum calyx split flowers per plot was recorded in variety Domingo. Bud length was found maximum in Baltico. Unpinched plants showed significantly maximum plant height, number of internodes and internodal length, while significantly highest number of shoots was observed in double pinched plants. Days to first flower bud initiation and days to 50 per cent flowering were significantly minimum in no pinching. Diameter of bud and flower; bud length, stalk girth, stalk length of flower, in situ longevity and vase life were significantly highest in no pinching whereas double pinching recorded minimum calyx splitting, maximum shoots and flowers per plant. Spray of 0.1 per cent boron recorded better growth, flowering and yield parameters comparatively.