Production of Dianthus Caryophyllus L. Cultivar (Haytor White) as Cut Flowers Using Day- Extension Treatment and Mulching

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of the Agricultural Research and Experiment Station - Kirkuk University - College of Agriculture for the agricultural season 2020-2021. The experiment was started on 20-11-2020. Carnations were taken from the mothers before the start of the experiment and planted in culture dishes to complete the rooting process. Carnations were planted on terraces with a length of (20 m) and width (75 cm), and the distance between one line and another (30 cm) and between one plant another (30 cm) as well. Artificial lighting (white LED light factor, 40 watts) was used for four hours in addition to the natural light which started half hour before sunset. The intensity of lighting was measured by a light meter (Lux 6612). As for the mulching factor, the industrial mulching was used with white polyethylene and the natural mulching with shredded yellow corn residue with a thickness of 2.5 cm, in addition to the control treatment. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot system in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and the treatment of illumination was placed in the main plots, while mulching was placed in the secondary plots, and the results were tested according to Duncan’s multiple range test at a probability level of 5%. The following characteristics were studied: plant height (cm), plant total chlorophyll content (CCI), number of days required for flowering (day), number of flower/m2, and flower stem length (cm). The results showed the superiority of lighting and mulching treatment in all vegetative and flowering traits under study.