The Role of Different Hormones on Some Vegetative and Reproductive Traits of Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Abstract

Aim: Carnation ( Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is most famous for its use as a cut flower. This research was carried out in the research greenhouse of Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) branch, to investigate the effect of different hormones on some vegetative and reproductive traits of carnation. Settings and Design: The experimental design was completely randomized design. Materials and Methods: Using different hormonal treatments included indole-3-buteric acid (IBA) (1,000 ppm, 2,000 ppm, 2,500 ppm, and 3,000 ppm), potassium salt of indole-3-butyric acid (KIBA) (1,000 ppm, 2,000 ppm, 2,500 ppm, and 3,000 ppm), and no treatment as control with three replications. Stem cuttings of carnation were supplied from Pink Nelson. The cuttings were exposed to different hormones for 10 s, and they were grown in coco peat+perlite (50%+50%) media. Plant irrigation was done with fogger systems. Some characteristics of the plant, such as the number of flowers, flower diameter, number of internodes, number of buds, flower stem length, number of leaves, and weight of aerial parts and root, were determined. Results: Statistical analysis showed that the number of flowers and weight of root of the plants treated with IBA and KIBA hormones were far greater compared to that of the controls. The highest of flower number, flower diameter, fresh and dry weight of root was obtained from IBA 2,000 ppm. The number of buds was significantly increased by the application of IBA at 1000 ppm and 2,000 ppm. And, KIBA at 1,000 ppm can increase the stem length of the flowers. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is suggested that the application of IBA and KIBA hormones improved quality of carnation flowers.