Impact of environmental factors and mulching on growth, quality and yield of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cv. ‘Loris’

Abstract

Research was conducted at Hi-tech farm of Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan to evaluate the effects of different mulches and environmental conditions on growth, quality and yield of carnation cut flowers under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions. Different types of mulch were replicated six times in a plot of 1.0 × 1.0 m size. Mulching with spent mushroom compost (M1), grass (M2), pine needles (M3) along with control (M0) was done 15 days after transplanting of rooted cuttings. The results revealed that plants mulched with spent mushroom compost (M1) recorded maximum duration of flowering (28.77 & 28.97 days), minimum days taken to reach harvesting stage (141 & 132.33 days), highest number of cut flowers per plant (6.50 & 9.47) and vase life (18.30 & 23.37 days) during first and second flush, respectively as compared to control. The maximum temperature and relative humidity inside greenhouse were 39.8ºC and 85 %, respectively. However, maximum soil temperature was recorded in the plots mulched with pine needles.