TITLE:
Yield Compounds and Nutrient Elements of Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) under Different Growing Media
AUTHORS:
Mahsan Soltani, Davood Naderi
KEYWORDS:
Cut Flower, Carnation, Mineral Soil, Coco Peat, Growing Media
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.6 No.4,
March
23,
2016
ABSTRACT: Production
of cut flowers is very prevalent in Iran. Carnation is most famous for its use
as a cut flower. This study was carried out in the research greenhouse of
Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, to explore the effect of
different growing media on some vegetative and reproductive traits of
carnation. The experimental design was randomized complete, using 50% perlite
and different growing media including: mineral soil and coco peat in 6
proportions (50% coco peat, 10% soil + 40% coco peat, 20% soil + 30% coco peat,
30% soil + 20% coco peat, 40% soil + 10% coco peat, 50% soil). During growth
period, irrigation rate, humidity and temperature were similar. The growth
characteristics of carnation were determined at the end of growth period. The
results indicated that although there were no significant differences between
studied growing substrates in chlorophyll a, b. Statistical analysis showed
fresh weight of flower was far greater in coco peat 10% + soil 40% and soil 50%
compared to other growing media. Fresh and dry weight of root and shoot in soil
50% were higher than other growing media. The results showed that highest
concentration of Fe and Zn was observed in coco peat 40% + soil 10%. The
concentration of Mn in coco peat 10% + soil 40% was higher than other growing
media. The results showed that the highest Ca concentration was observed in
soil 50% and the lowest concentration of this element was obtained in coco peat
50%. According to the obtained results, mineral soil can be used as a suitable
alternative to cocopeat for cultivation and growth of carnation in greenhouse.