Effect of different substrates on growth and flowering of Dianthus caryophyllus cv. 'Chauband Mixed'.

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and flowering response of different potting media for the commercial variety of carnation viz. 'Chaubad Mixed'. Different substrates including sand, silt, leaf manure, farmyard manure and garden soil were used in different proportions to check the best suitable medium for carnation plant. Plants parameters of growth and flowering such as plant height, number of branches/plant, length of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, leaf area (cm ), least days to first flower emergence, number 2 of flowers/plant, flower diameter (cm) and quality of the flowers showed good results in silt and garden soil but overall leaf compost + sand showed best results while, farmyard manure with higher pH produced the least results regarding all plant parameters. Analysis of potting medium reflected that substrates with appropriate nutrients, electrical conductivity and organic matter, can be amended with different organic materials with different combinations at different rates.