Adaptability of Exotic Variety of Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus Var. Chabaud) under Different Doses of Nitrogen

Nitrogen (N) is said to be an important limiting factor in carnation. A low level of N causes weak stems and stunted plants whereas excess N causes delayed flowering and reduces post harvest quality of flowers. Present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different doses of N on growth and flowering of exotic variety of carnation ( Dianthus caryophyllus var. chabaud). Pot experiment was carried out at green house in IAAS, Lamjung during November, 2016 to May, 2017 in Completely Randomized Design with five treatments (0 kg, 100kg, 200 kg, 300 kg and 400 kg N/ha) and three replications each. Parameters including plant height, plant width, length of flower stalk, flower width, number of branches, days to flowering and flower number were observed and analyzed using SPSS. Results were found to be significant for all the parameters and revealed that maximum flower number (9.83) was recorded at 400 kg N/ha whereas minimum (2.16) was found in controlled while 100kg, 200kg and 300 kg application were found to be statistically at par. Maximum day to flowering (115) was recorded with control treatment while minimum day to flowering was recorded with 300 kg N/ha and 0kg, 100kg and 200kg were statistically at par. Maximum plant height, length of flower stalk, number of branches and plant width were recorded at the rate of 400 kg N/ha except flower width which was maximum at the rate of 300 kg N/ha and the minimum was recorded in controlled treatment for all parameters. These results suggested that increasing the doses of N has positive effect on most of the growth and flowering attributing parameters while excess N causes delay in flowering. Keywords: Carnation; Growth; Flowering; Nitrogen