Evaluation of carnation germplasm for its growth and flowering performance

Investigations on evaluation of 50 cultivars of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L) with respect to growth and flowering parameters were carried out under naturally ventilated polyhouse condition at experimental farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP during 2012–13. Cultivars like Don Pedro, Hermes, Snow Storm, Baltico and EC-19 were found superior with respect to plant height, stem length and number of cut flower stems per plant. Plant height varied from 50.41 cm in case of EC-5 to 95.61 cm in Don Pedro. Stem length which is the most important parameter from cut flower point of view was recorded highest in cultivar Hermes (71.10 cm) which was found statistically at par with cultivars Snow Storm (70.56 cm) and Don Pedro (68.15 cm) whereas minimum stem length (36.84 cm) was recorded in cultivar EC-5. Flower quality with respect to flower diameter differed significantly among cultivars. Flower size varied from 6.56 cm in case of cultivar Tempo to 5.21 cm in cultivar EC-9. Significantly the highest number of flowers per plant was recorded in cultivar Baltico (6.20) followed by cultivar EC-19 (5.77) and EC-8 (5.73) whereas minimum number of flowers per plant was observed in cultivar Kleos (3.67) followed by cultivar Hermes (3.93). Earliness in flowering was recorded in cultivar EC-10 (141.40 days) followed by cultivars EC-20 (153.87 days) and Rendez Vous (153.97 days) however late flowering was recorded in cultivar EC-1 (178.80 days) which was found statistically at par with cultivars Gaudina (177.47 days) and EC-2 (172.93 days). Significant differences existed for the stem sturdiness amongst the different carnation cultivars. Maximum ‘A’ grade flowers (95.56%) were recorded in cultivar Liberty followed by cultivars Madras, Arka Flame and Kleos (86.67%) whereas maximum number of ‘B’ grade flowers were recorded in cultivars EC-13 and Cool (71.11%). Based on the present findings it can be concluded that the cultivars Don Pedro, Hermes, Tempo, EC-9, Baltico and Liberty performed best with respect to growth, earliness in flowering, flower yield and quality.