International Journal of Agricultural

Science and Research (IJASR)

ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087
Vol. 6, Issue 3, Jun 2016, 457-462
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

PERFORMANCE OF STANDARD CARNATION (DIANTHUS

CARYOPHYLLUS LINN) UNDER LOW COST POLYHOUSE CONDITION
IN HILLY REGION OF WEST BENGAL
I. SARKAR1 & S. SHARMA2
1

Associate Professor, Department of Floriculture, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Faculty of Horticulture,
Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India
2

Research Scholar, Department of Floriculture, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Faculty of Horticulture,
Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus Linn.) is an important flower crop having great commercial value as a cut
flower. The cultivation of carnation under protection is gaining wide popularity with greater emphasis on higher
production with improved quality. Fourteen carnation varieties, namely, Malga, Bright Randevouz, Rubes co, Madras,
Tasman, Purple Kamsus, Dover, East Light, Cherry Solar, Sisagri, New Tempo, Charment, Marathon a and Saleya were

rooted cuttings in 2 square meter plots having 20 plants per plot. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three
replications. Significant variation was observed among the varieties studied with respect to vegetative and floral
parameters. The highest plants (97.65 cm) and the longest flower stalks (84.56 cm) were observed in the Charment.
The Dover produced the highest number of shoots per plant (5.26) as against the lowest in the Malga (2.77).
The maximum number of leaves per plant (161.73) and the longest leaves (19.12 cm) were observed in the Rubes co. The

Original Article

evaluated during 2012-2013 in the hilly region of West Bengal under low cost polyhouse. The plants were raised through

leaf breadth ranges from 0.84 cm in Sisagri to 1.39 cm in Dover. The Saleya took the shortest time (74.14 days) to flower
where as the Cherry Solar took the longest time (113.13 days). The Dover produced the maximum number of flowers per
plant (5.43) but the largest flowers (7.27 cm) were recorded in the v Rubes co. The duration of flowering varied from
29.74 days in Rubes co to 48.67 days in Bright Randevouz. The longevity of the flowers both in the tap water and on the
plants was maximum in the Rubes co, 16.04 days and 23.53 days respectively. The perusal of data reveals that the
varieties viz. Malga, Rubes co, Dover and Charment performed better under hilly region of West Bengal with respect to
quantitative and qualitative produces.
KEYWORDS: Carnation, Polyhouse, Varieties

Received: Apr 08, 2016; Accepted: May 27, 2016; Published: Jun 09, 2016; Paper Id.: IJASRJUN2016055

INTRODUCTION
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus Linn.) belonging to the family caryophyllaceac is mainly grown as a cut
flower due to its excellent keeping quality, wide range of colours and forms. It has emmence potential to be grown
in open and under protected condition in hills of India. West Bengal has a prominent position on floriculture map of
India. Carnations are grown commercially in India in places having mild climate in Solan, Shimla, Kalimpong,
Kodaikanal, Mandi, Kullu, Srinagar, Ooty and Yercaud. In West Bengal, it is grown under controlled condition as
the transitional belt parts/area seems to be very ideal for cultivation of flowers on account of favourable climate,

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458

I. Sarkar & S. Sharma

soil and other factors (Tah and Mamgain 2013). The cultivation of carnation under protection is gaining wide popularity
with greater emphasis on higher production with improved quality (Arora et al. 2002). Large numbers of varieties are
under cultivation in India, but, most of them are exotic and the performance of each genotype varies with region, season
and growing environment, testing of the performance of the available genotypes for suitability and adaptability takes prime
importance. A systematic study of vegetative and floral characters would facilitate the breeders to select suitable genotypes
for planned breeding programme. Therefore, an effort was made to study the performance of carnation varieties under low
cost polyhouse in the hilly region of West Bengal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was carried out to study the performance of 14 varieties of carnation, namely, Malga, Bright
Randevouz, Rubes co, Madras Tasman, Purple Kamsus, Dover, East Light, Cherry Solar, Sisagri, Charment, Marathon a
and Saleya at Regiolnal Research Station (Hill Zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, West
Bengal during 2012-13 in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The rooted cuttings of carnation varieties
were collected from Dr. Y.S. Parmer University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, H.P. and planted under low-cost
Polyhouse in 2 square meter plots with a spacing of 25 cm between the rows and 20 between the plants. The standard
cultivation practices with single pinching were followed leaving six pairs of leaves 30 days after planting. The vegetative
and flowering attributes were collected from 10 randomly selected plants from each replication and statistically analyzed as
described by Panse and Sukhatme (1967) and presented in Table 1 and 2 respectively.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Significant differences for growth attributes were observed amongst the 14 varieties of carnation studied and
presented in the Table 1. The variety Charment recorded maximum plant height (97.65 cm) followed by Malga ( 94.15 cm),
New Tempo (92.89 cm), Madras (92.82 cm), Rubes co (91.93 cm), Dover (91.89 cm) East Light (91.28 cm) where as the
variety Marathona recorded minimum plant height (77.29 cm). Similar variation in plant height among the different
cultivars of carnation was also observed by Sathisha (1997) and Reddy et al. (2004). More number of shoots per plant was
observed with the variety Dover (5.26) as compared to the variety Malga (2.77) produced less number of shoots per plant.
The phenomenon of apical dominance influenced the production of number of shoots. Such variation in number of shoot
was also observed earlier in carnation by Naveen Kumar et al. (1999 a). Maximum number of leaves per plant was
observed with the variety Rubes co (161.73) as against the minimum number of leaves recorded in the variety Marathona
(108.79). The production of more number of leaves in the varieties might be due to increase plant height and more number
of shoots as reported earlier by Patil (2001). The longest leaves were produced in the variety Rubes co (19.12 cm) followed
by Charment (18.59 cm), Purple Kamsus (18.34 cm) where as the shortest leaves were produced in the variety Saleya
(13.69 cm). The maximum leaf breadth was recorded with the variety Dover (1.39 cm) which was at par with the variety
Charment, New Tempo, Purple Kamsus, Bright Randevouz and Malga (1.35 cm, 1.38 cm, 1.34 cm, 1.30 cm and 1.35 cm
respectively) and the minimum breadth was observed with the variety Sisagri (0.84 cm). Early flowering was observed
with the varieties Saleya (74.14 days), Bright Randevouz (74.40 days), Rubes co (81.43 days) and Malga (84.19 days)
where as the variety Cherry Solar (113.13 days) took more days to initiate the first flower after planting. This variation for
flower bud initiation may be attributed to genetical make up of the varieties concerned. Similar variation in flowering
characters was reported previously in carnation by Gill and Arora (1988).

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.7987

NAAS Rating: 3.53

Performance of Standard Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus linn) Under

Low Cost Polyhouse Condition in Hilly Region of West Bengal

459

The significant variations in flowering characters were observed among the carnation varieties due to the genetic
make up which were presented in the table 2.The length of flower stalk was maximum in variety Charment (84.56cm) and
the moderate flower stalk length was recorded with the varieties Malga (81.74 cm), New Tempo (80.76 cm) and Rubes co
(79.06 cm), whereas the minimum stalk length was recorded in Marathon a (67.86 cm). Variation in stalk length among
carnation varieties was observed previously by Singh et al. (2001). The varieties Madras, New Tempo, Rubes co, Tasman,
Saleya recorded maximum bud diameter. The large size of flowers was ibserved with the variety Rubes co (7.27 cm) which
was statistically at par with the variety Malga (6.87 cm) and the small size of flowers was observed with the variety Sisagri
(4.34 cm). The number of flowers per plant was highest in the variety Dover (5.43) followed by Rubes co (5.19), East
Light (5.19) and Sisagri (5.14) while, the variety Marathon a produced the lowest number of flowers per plant. Similar
variation in carnation with respect to flower yield was also observed by Naveen Kumar et al. (1999). The highest flower
stalk weight was obtained with the variety Charment (42.417 g) which was statistically at par with the variety Malga
(41.36 g) while, the variety Cherry Solar (30.68 g) recorded minimum flower stalk weight. The weight of flower stalk
variation among the varieties might be due to higher reserved foods (carbohydrate, water etc.) in flowers. This variation
might be due to varietal characters as reported by Halevy and Mayak (1981). The maximum flowering duration was
recorded with the variety Bright Randevouz (48.67 days) as against the lowest recorded in the variety Rubes co
(29.74 days). These observations are inconformity with Lal et al. (1998) who recorded similar variations in different
varieties of carnation under Uttranchal hill condition. The maximum longevity of flowers both in tap water as well as on
the plant was observed in the variety Rubes co, 16.04 days and 23.53 days respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
Carnation being one of the most important commercial flowers of the world has great potentiality for successful
cultivation in this region. Amongst the fourteen varieties of standard carnation studied Malga, Rubes co, Dover and
Charment performed better for quality flower production in hilly region of West Bengal under protected condition.
Therefore, these varieties can be taken up by the flower growers for commercial cultivation.
REFERENCES
1.

Arora, J.S., Amanpreet Kaur and Sidhu, G.S. 2002. Performance of carnation in polyhouse. Journal of Ornamental
Horticulture (New Series), 5(2):58.

2.

Gill, A.P.S. and J.S. Arora, 1988. Performance of Sim carnations under sub-tropical climatic conditions of Punjab. Indian
Journal of Horticulture, 45(3-4):329-35.

3.

Halevy, A.H. and S. Mayak, 1981. Senescence and post harvest physiology of cut flowers. Horticulture Riviews Part II. 3: 59143.

4.

Lal, S.D., N.S. Danu and S.S. Solanki, 1998. Studies on performance of different varieties on performance of different varieties
of carnation in U.P. Hills.

5.

Progressive Horticulture, 30(1-2):36-39.

6.

Naveenkumar, P., B. Singh, S.S. Sindhu and S.R. Voleti, 1999a. Effect of growing environments on carnation flowering. Journal
of Ornamental Horticulture (New Series), 2(2); 137-138.

7.

Panse, V.G. and P.V. Sukatme, 1967. Statistical Methods for Agricultural Workers. Indian Council of Agricultural Research,
New Delhi, pp. 155.

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I. Sarkar & S. Sharma

8.

Patil, R. T. 2001. Evaluation of Standard carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cultivars under protected cultivation. M.Sc.
Thesis. University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad Reddy, B. S, R. T. Patil, Praveen Jholgiker and B.S. Kulkarni, 2004
Studies on vegetative growth, flower yield and quality of standard carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) under low cost
polyhouse condition. Journal of Ornamental Horticulture, 7(3-4):217-220.

9.

Sathisha, S. 1997. Evaluation of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L) cultivars under low-cost greenhouse M. Sc Thesis
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore Singh, K.P., Sangama and S.C. Mandhar, 2001 Evaluation of post harvest
qualities of standard carnation flowers grown under natural ventilated greenhouse Journal of Ornamental Horticulture
(New Series)., 4(1):53-4.

10. Tah and Mamgain. 2013. Variation in different agronomical characters of some carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) cultivars
Research Journal of Biology, 1: 10-23

APPENDICES
Table 1: Vegetative Parameters of Standard Carnation Varieties under Protected Condition
Variety
Malga
Bright
Randevouz
Rubesco
Madras
Tasman
Purple
Kamsus
Dover
East Light
Cherry
Solar
Sisagri
New
Tempo
Charment
Marathona
Saleya
C.D.
(0.05)

94.15

No. of
Shoots
/Plant
2.77

No. of
Leaves
/Plant
118.47

Leaf
Length
(cm)
17.190

Leaf
Breadth
(cm)
1.35

Days to First
Flowering
(Days)
84.19

79.68

3.97

141.45

15.82

1.30

74.40

91.96
92.82
91.99

4.84
3.39
3.57

161.73
134.92
126.33

19.12
16.60
14.89

0.94
1.29
1.29

81.43
87.37
112.77

84.92

4.88

129.35

18.34

1.34

102.13

91.89
91.28

5.26
3.59

148.02
109.19

15.68
16.49

1.39
0.87

107.67
99.40

87.64

2.93

127.79

14.27

0.93

113.13

86.81

3.29

145.69

15.76

0.84

106.00

92.89

4.42

136.82

17.26

1.38

96.70

97.65
77.29
86.73

3.55
4.41
3.84

130.50
108.79
119.32

18.59
14.63
13.69

1.35
0.94
1.22

93.27
78.57
74.14

1.005

0.320

1.523

0.934

0.170

1.394

Plant
Height (cm)

Table 2: Flowering Parameters of Standard Carnation Varieties under Protected Condition

Variety

Malga
Bright
Randevouz
Rubesco
Madras
Tasman
Purple
Kamsus
Dover
East Light
Cherry Solar

Length of
Flower
Stalk (cm)

Bud
Diameter
(cm)

Flower
Diameter
(cm)

No. of
Flowers
/Plant

Wt. of
Flower
Stalk (g)

Flowering
Duration
(Days)

81.74

5.75

6.89

4.24

41.36

37.70

Longevity of
Flowers (Days)
On
In Tap
the
Water
Plant
15.71
22.08

69.38

4.42

5.96

3.34

38.28

48.67

11.73

18.62

79.06
70.84
78.43

6.33
7.11
6.31

7.27
5.91
5.24

5.19
4.41
3.27

33.01
36.01
35.61

29.74
37.65
44.35

16.04
14.15
12.54

23.53
20.55
19.33

73.63

4.76

5.84

4.55

39.62

33.57

13.22

19.72

78.60
78.03
74.59

5.97
5.53
4.29

6.56
6.28
5.98

5.43
5.19
4.82

39.81
34.95
30.68

31.16
43.16
32.19

13.35
11.42
14.08

20.48
18.93
16.85

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.7987

NAAS Rating: 3.53

Performance of Standard Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus linn) Under

Low Cost Polyhouse Condition in Hilly Region of West Bengal

461

Table 2: Contd.,
Sisagri
New Tempo
Charment
Marathona
Saleya
C.D. (0.05)

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72.36
80.76
84.56
67.86
74.82
1.016

5.62
6.45
5.30
4.65
6.02
0.429

4.34
5.46
6.45
4.63
5.37
0.630

5.14
4.43
3.74
2.73
3.53
0.311

35.95
40.59
42.41
33.70
38.61
1.351

47.06
39.71
41.81
32.57
35.72
1.037

13.41
14.26
14.56
12.48
13.67
0.740

17.78
16.82
17.64
16.52
18.02
0.826

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