Flower Stem Length Research Articles

Assessment of GA3 and BA application on gerbera cultivation in soilless culture

This research was carried out to determine the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) and benzyladenine (BA) application on yield and quality components (multiplication ratio, flower stem length, flower diameter, vase life, flower stem diameter,) of gerbera. Three different levels of GA3 (125, 250, 500 ppm) and BA (100, 200, 400 ppm) were applied by foliar spray. Compared to BA application, GA3 applications gave good results on yield and quality parameters. The maximum yield was obtained by 125 ppm of GA3 application. It was found that 500 ppm of GA3 application most effective on stem length and flower diameter. On the other hand, it's determined that 400 ppm BA application significantly increased stem diameter and multiplication ratio. Its concluded that, the GA3 and BA demonstration interference in growth characteristics of gerbera plant.

Evaluation of Carnation Cultivars; and Nitrogen and Indole Acetic Acid for Their Growth, Yield and Quality in Khumaltar, Nepal

Carnation is an important cut flower in Nepal. Several cultivars imported from abroad are being adopted for their commercial production. However, the performance of these cultivars in the specific agro-climate has not yet determined. Thus, study aimed to evaluate the performance of common cultivars, including mineral nutrition and IAA hormone on the plant growth and flowering. The study was carried out in Horticulture Research Division, Khumaltar, Nepal during 2012 and 2013. Four cultivars: King Lion, Delson, Eskimo and White Liberty including nitrogen and foliar application of IAA were evaluated for plant growth and floral characteristics. The experiment was held in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications.Based on the results, cultivar King Lion had significantly highest plant height (20.66 cm), while cultivar Eskimo had the highest flower stem length (53.59 cm) and stem diameter (5.63 cm) followed by Delson (51.66 cm). The lower flower stems lengths of cultivars: White Liberty (42.48 cm) and King Lion (43.87 cm) were at par. The effect of mineral nutrition and hormone on plant height, flower stem length and flower head diameter was non-significant, however, IAA 25 ppm foliar spray was found superior over N 40 g/m2 and IAA 50 ppm applications. Thus, Eskimo is recommended as the excellent cultivar for its bigger flower stem, straightness and attractive flower looking, while cultivars; Delson and White Liberty as promising for higher flower yield. Similarly, soil application of nitrogen @ 40 g/m2 and foliar spray of auxin @ 25 ppm are recommended for higher flower yield.

The Phytochemical Changes of Violet Flowers (Viola cornuta) Response to Exogenous Salicylic Acid Hormone

Violet is one of the ornamental plants with a good value in landscaping and herbal medicine. Salicylic acid is a signaling agent involving in secondary metabolite production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses of violet flowers to exogenous salicylic acid. This experiment was conducted in the greenhouse, as a completely randomized design. Salicylic acid was sprayed on violet plants in four levels as , , , mM and three replications. Flower diameter, flower stem length, fresh weight and dry matter percentage of violet flower were measured as morphological parametes. In laboratory parameters like antioxidant activity and anthocyanin variation were recorded using spectrophotometery method. The quercetin and rutin values were determined by HPLC. Results showed that salicylic acid significantly affected on flower diameter, total antioxidant capacity, rutin and quercetin contents. Therefore data analysis provides that high levels of salicylic acid increased morphological parameters and improved chemical substance involving to secondary metabolism promotion. Furthermore, using different concentrations of the hormone is required, to achieve the best quality and quantity of plant biomass and it is also necessary to achieve the best traits of ornamental and medicinal value

Morphophenological characterization of ornamental ginger and selection for landscape use

Many species of Zingiber have great ornamental potential, due to durability and exotic appearance of the inflorescences. Despite its large phenotypic variability, they are scarcely exploited or not yet exploited regarding the ornamental potential. To conserve potential ornamental genotypes, and subsidize breeding program, the Agronomic Institute (IAC) maintain a Germoplasm Collection of Ornamental Zingiberales with promising accessions, including Zingiber. The aim was the morphophenological characterization of ten Zingiber accessions and the indication for landscape purposes. A large variation was observed to the evaluated characters: Clump height (CH); Inflorescence visualization (IV); Clump area (CA); Clump density (CD); Leaf stem Firmness (LSF); Number of leaf stems per clump (NLSC); Number of leaves per stem (NLS); Leaf color (LCol); Evergreen tendency (ET); Flower stem growth (FSG); Flower stem length (FSLe); Flower stem diameter (FSD); Flower stem per clump (FSC); Color sensorial perception (CSP); Flower stem weight (FSW); Inflorescence length (IL); Inflorescence diameter (ID); Bracts aspects (BAs); and Flowering season (FSe). The accessions very suitable and with the best performance to use for landscape purpose were Z. spectabile, IAC Anchieta (Z. spectabile), Z. newmanii.

Pomological and phytochemical diversity in Iranian populations of Caucasian whortleberry (Vaccinum arctostaphylos L.)

Caucasian whortleberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.), locally named Qare-Qat, is a shrub native to humid Caucasus area including northwest of Iran. It is a medicinal plant which has been intensively utilized in Iranian folk medicine as an antihypertensive and antidiabetic agent for many years. In order to determine the pomological and phytochemical properties of various caucasian whortleberry populations, aerial parts samples were collected from 11 locations in native regions. Current study indicated significant differences in pomological and phytochemical characteristics of Caucasian whortleberry (V. arctostaphylos L.) populations collected from 11 locations in 3 different province. Our results showed that the highest berry and flesh weight, number of seeds per berry, berry length and width, number of cluster per inflorescence and flowering stem length were observed from plants collected from Saghezchi-A population in Ardabil province, while the lowest values were obtained from Zendaneh population in Gilan province. In addition, the highest content of anthocyanin, total phenolics and antioxidant in both fruits and leaves of V. arctostaphylos L. were mainly recorded from Saghezchi-A population followed by Khanghah population. According to studied traits, V. arctostaphylos L. populations were divided into three different groups. Saghezchi-A, Khanghah and Saghezchi-A populations were placed in a same group with mainly the best pomological and phytochemical properties. These locations were characterized by high solar radiation. Therefore, they can be exploited for selection of suitable genotypes for organizing the berry breeding programs and taking advantage of this plant in garden establishment and fruit production investigations.

Physiological responses and phytoremediation ability of Eastern Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) for crude oil contaminated soil

One of the most important anthropogenic pollution types in countries with oil production is soil and water contamination by petroleum. Phytoremediation is an emerging green technology for cleaning up polluted soil. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effect of oil-contaminated soil on Echinacea purpurea with four concentrations of crude oil - contaminated soil: control = 0, 0.5% = 5000, 1% = 10000, and 2% = 20000 mg kg-1. Morphological and physiological traits were evaluated after 90 days. Gas chromatography determined the removal rate percentage of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in the soil. The results show that this plant has potential for removing TPHs, up to 45.5% at 1% crude oil contamination, while the removal rate by natural attenuation is only 32%. Data from morphological and flowering indices including shoot and root fresh weights, shoot and root dry weights, flower stem length, flower longevity, flower anthocyanin, and visual stress symptoms show significant differences within treatments. Based on the results, E. purpurea can tolerate crude oil concentrations in soil equal to or greater than 5000 and 10000 mg kg-1 (0.5% and 1% w/w). However, flowering was not observed at treatments of 1% and 2% crude oil contamination. As crude oil concentration increased, physiological parameters such as total chlorophyll, protein, and antioxidant capacity significantly decreased, while other parameters including leaf anthocyanin, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, proline, and total carbohydrate all increased. Overall, E. purpurea is a widely - spread species that can be effectively used for phytoremediation of ≤10000 mg kg-1 crude oil contaminated soil.

Reduction of the geomagnetic field delays Arabidopsis thaliana flowering time through downregulation of flowering-related genes.

Variations in magnetic field (MF) intensity are known to induce plant morphological and gene expression changes. In Arabidopsis thaliana Col‐0, near‐null magnetic field (NNMF, i.e., <100 nT MF) causes a delay in the transition to flowering, but the expression of genes involved in this response has been poorly studied. Here, we showed a time‐course quantitative analysis of the expression of both leaf (including clock genes, photoperiod pathway, GA20ox, SVP, and vernalization pathway) and floral meristem (including GA2ox, SOC1, AGL24, LFY, AP1, FD, and FLC) genes involved in the transition to flowering in A. thaliana under NNMF. NNMF induced a delayed flowering time and a significant reduction of leaf area index and flowering stem length, with respect to controls under geomagnetic field. Generation experiments (F1‐ and F2‐NNMF) showed retention of flowering delay. The quantitative expression (qPCR) of some A. thaliana genes expressed in leaves and floral meristem was studied during transition to flowering. In leaves and flowering meristem, NNMF caused an early downregulation of clock, photoperiod, gibberellin, and vernalization pathways and a later downregulation of TSF, AP1, and FLC. In the floral meristem, the downregulation of AP1, AGL24, FT, and FLC in early phases of floral development was accompanied by a downregulation of the gibberellin pathway. The progressive upregulation of AGL24 and AP1 was also correlated to the delayed flowering by NNMF. The flowering delay is associated with the strong downregulation of FT, FLC, and GA20ox in the floral meristem and FT, TSF, FLC, and GA20ox in leaves. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:361–374, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Helicônia cv. Golden Torch cultivada sob diferentes lâminas de irrigação em ambiente protegido

The genus Heliconia is commercially detached by the exotic appearance of the inflorescences but is susceptible to lack of moisture in the soil, being necessary the irrigation management. In this sense, the objective was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation levels on the plant growth and productive characters of Heliconia psittacorum cv. Golden Torch cultivated in vase. The experiment was conducted from March to October 2014, in a randomized blocks design. Five treatments corresponding to the different irrigation levels were used [50, 75, 100, 125 and 150% of the evaporation measured in Class A (ECA)] with four replicates and two plants per replicate. The following evaluations were carried out: number of days for the emergence of the first tiller, number of days for the emergence of the first inflorescence, number of days for the inflorescence harvest, crop cycle, diameter of the flower stem, length of the flower stem, inflorescence length, plant high, number of tillers and productivity of flower stems. Chlorophyll and leaf area measurements were performed. The irrigation levels tested significantly influenced the number of days for the first inflorescence harvest, length of the flower stem and inflorescence length. The irrigation level of 150% ECA provided better results for the length of the flower stem, inflorescence length and for leaf area but without differences from 75%, 100% and 125% ECA. Thus, for the cultivation of the heliconia cv. Golden Torch in pot can be recommended the level corresponding from 75% to 150% ECA.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Regulate Flowering of Hyacinths orientalis L. Anna Marie

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represent positive effects on growth performance, nutrient absorption and stressed tolerance of host plants, whereas it is not clear whether AMF can affect flowering traits of ornamental plants. In this work, Diversispora spurca, D. versiformis, and Funneliformis mosseae were applied to rhizosphere of potted hyacinth (Hyacinths orientalis L. Anna Marie) plants. After four months of mycorrhizal inoculation, root could be colonized by exogenous AMF species, varied from 38% to 49%, whilst F. mosseae had the best mycorrhizal status. Out of these AMF species used, only F. mosseae-inoculated plants recorded greater raceme length and biomass production of single flowerlet, raceme, and flower stem. F. mosseae also induced the flowering earlier in 2 days and prolonged flowering time for 3 days. D. versiformis postponed 2 days for flowering. Mycorrhizal plants recorded considerably higher acetic acid (IAA) and zeatin riboside (ZR) levels in flowers, irrespective of AMF species. F. mosseae-inoculated plants had significantly higher methyl jasmonate (MeJA) concentrations in flowers than other AMF- or non-AMF-treated plants. These results thereby conclude that F. mosseae can be used to regulate flowering of H. orientalis L. Anna Marie, including flowering earlier and prolonging flowering time, which is closely associated with IAA, ZR and MeJA levels in flowers.

Residual effects of bioslurry and amino acids plant biostimulant on carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flower quality.

A greenhouse experiment was conducted in Finlays, Lemotit Flower Farm in Kenya to determine the residual effect of bioslurry and an amino acids plant biostimulant on carnation flower quality. A second flush of carnation plants growing in previous experimental plots was used. This experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Four levels of bioslurry: 0, 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 L m-2 were applied in the main plots while four levels of plant biostimulant: 0, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 L ha-1 were used in the sub-plots. Results showed that there was no significant residual effect of bioslurry on studied parameters. Residual effects of plant biostimulant applied at 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 L ha-1 resulted in a significant increase in carnation flower stalk length by 1.08 to 1.72 cm compared to control. However, there was negligible reduction of the flower stalk diameter (0.1 mm) and no significant residual effect of plant biostimulant on flower head size. Moreover, there were no residual interactive effects of bioslurry and plant biostimulant on studied parameters. These results suggest that plant biostimulant can be used to improve the flower stem length in the subsequent flush of carnation plants supplied with a full dose of inorganic fertilizers.

Response of Branching and Nonbranching Cut Flower Cultivars of Sunflower to Pinching and Planting Density

Pinching sunflower (Helianthus annuus) grown for cut flowers in the vegetative stage increases stem yield at least 3-fold. Four experiments were conducted to further investigate the cultivar response differences to pinching, to explore the response to planting density, and to examine the effect of the time of pinching. In the first two experiments, two branching and one nonbranching cultivar in 2011, and three branching cultivars in 2012, were grown at 6 × 6-, 9 × 9-, and 12 × 12-inch spacing and pinched at the six-leaf stage. Pinching led to stem yield increases, but reduced flower size and stem length. Combining closer spacing with pinching further decreased flower size, increased the number of stems, and the gross value of stems per unit area. At highest densities flowers were too small to be saleable. The inverse relationship of flower size to stem numbers per unit area held true across all cultivars in both years. The branching cultivar Starburst Lemon Aura was the most productive of the cultivars tested when pinched, yielding 15,744 stems/1000 ft2 at the closest spacing. In 2013 and 2015, delaying the time of pinching from the 6-leaf to the 10-leaf stage reduced stem production among three nonbranching cultivars from 2.8 to 1.8 stems/plant, compared with an increase from 4.2 to 5.1 stems/plant for the branching cultivar Goldrush. The difference in pinching response among cultivars in 2013 and 2015 may have been related to relative severity of septoria leaf blight (Septoria helianthi) that infected the lower leaves. The results of the four experiments confirmed the efficacy of pinching on productivity and value of sunflowers, with best results obtained when pinching was done at the six-leaf stage.

INFLUENCE OF PINCHING, SOME FERTILIZATION TREATMENTS AND SPRAYING WITH ALAR ON SOLIDAGO PLANTS. B. FLOWERING CHARACTERISTICS

This study was carried out at Dept. of Ornamental Hort., Fac. Agric., Cairo Univ. and the applied part was carried out under open field conditions at the Experimental Farm of Hort. Res. Inst., ARC, Giza, Egypt during 2015 and 2016 seasons to investigate the effect of pinching, bio- and chemical fertilization (as a soil drench), foliar spraying with alar and their interactions on flowering parameters of goldenrod (Solidago hybrida, Tara) with the aim of producing high quality plants appropriate to be used as flowering pot plants. Flowering stem length (cm), flowering start date (days), flowering stem fresh and dry weights (g) and number of flowering branches were greatly affected by single, double and triple treatments applied in this study. Regarding the effect of interaction treatments between pinching, fertilization and alar, non-pinching in addition to bio-fertilization + NPK at 3 g/pot + alar at 1000 ppm resulted in the longest flowering stems. Non-pinching in addition to bio-fertilization + NPK at 1.5 g/pot + alar at 500 ppm shared some other treatments (i.e. pinching in addition to bio-fertilization + NPK at 3 g/pot + alar at 500 ppm) and resulted in the lowest flowering start date values. On the other hand, pinching in addition to bio-fertilization + NPK at either 1.5 or 3 g/pot + alar at 500 ppm produced the heaviest fresh flowering stems and to some extent the highest number of flowering branches. However, non-pinching in addition to alar at 1000 ppm + NPK at 3 g/pot either with or without bio-fertilization resulted in the heaviest flowering stems dry weight. According to the previous findings and from an aesthetic point of view, it is recommended to treat goldenrod transplants grown in 14 cm pots with pinching in addition to bio-fertilization plus NPK at either 1.5 or 3 g/pot + spraying with alar at 500 ppm to produce high quality goldenrod plants appropriate to be used as flowering pot plants.

Gibberellic acid promotes flower stem elongation in ‘Renaissance Red’ poinsettia

Gibberellic acid (GA) used as a foliar spray on ‘Renaissance Red’ poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) greatly increased flower stem length without lengthening production time or other adverse effect...

Effect of Potassium Sulfate and Calcium Borate on Improving Quality and Production of Dahlia Flowers

The experiment was carried out at the Baramoon Experimental Research Farm, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, during 2015 and 2016 seasons. The aim of this research was to study the effect of potassium sulfate and calcium borate as soil and foliar fertilization on improving the quality and flower production of Dahlia pinnata, L. plants. Different levels of potassium sulfate at 10 and 20 g/plant as soil fertilizer and calcium borate at 5 and 10 cm/L as foliar fertilizer and companions between them were used. The soil and foliar fertilizers were applied 3 times during the growing period. The results indicated that the combined treatment of 20 g/plant potassium sulfate + 10 cm/L calcium borate significantly increased vegetative growth parameters i.e plant height, number of leaves, number of shoots, stem diameter and dry weight % of plants. It also induced an increment in flowers and tubers parameters (No. of flowers, flower diameter, flower stem length and diameter and flower adherence strength, vase life, No. of tubers/plant and tuber diameter compared with the other treatments used. Total carbohydrates and lignin (%) in flower stem were significantly increased as a result of different fertilization treatments compared to the control treatment. Application of potassium sulfate at 20 g/plant + calcium borate at 10 cm/L was superior to other treatments under this study.

CONDUCTIVIDAD HIDRÁULICA EN TALLOS FLORALES DE ROSA CV. POLO CON DIFERENTE LONGITUD

La longitud del tallo floral es un criterio de calidad en rosas de corte (Rosa hybrida L.) ya que los tallos largos tienen más área seccional en el punto de corte para la absorción de agua con respecto a los cortos. De esta manera, un tallo corto muestra un área xilemática menor que puede influir sobre el flujo de agua e hidratación de los tejidos y vida de florero (VF). Por lo anterior, el objetivo de este trabajo fue describir las características de los vasos de xilema y su relación con la capacidad de conducción de agua y la VF en tallos largos (50 cm), medianos (35 cm) y cortos (25 cm) de rosa cv. Polo. Se calcularon el índice de vulnerabilidad y la conductividad hidráulica relativa, además del flujo de agua en fracciones de tallo y unidad floral, y la VF. Al comparar los diámetros de vasos de xilema de los tallos más cortos con los medianos y largos se obtuvieron valores de 4.41, 12.4 y 12.51 µm respectivamente; en el mismo orden, los índices de vulnerabilidad fueron de 0.14, 0.83 y 1.29 y la conductividad hidráulica relativa fue de 898, 25,269 y 19,628, respectivamente. En relación con las variables fisiológicas, los tallos de menor longitud también registraron un reducido flujo y consumo tanto en las fracciones de tallo como en las unidades florales. La VF en los tallos largos y medianos fue de 11.4 y 10.6 d comparado con 7.3 d obtenidos en los tallos de longitud corta. Se concluyó que los vasos de xilema de diámetro corto con una conductividad hidráulica reducida tienen una influencia negativa sobre la hidratación de los tejidos y la VF.

Bio-enhancer: A potential input for flowering and post-harvest life of rose (Rosa hybrida) cv. Grand Gala

The present investigation was carried out to find the response of different bio-enhancers, i.e. Panchgavya, Jivamrita and vermiwash on flowering and post-harvest attributes of rose (Rose hybrida) cv. Grand Gala. There were three levels of each treatment used . Panchgavya at 0%, 3% and 6% and Jivamrita 0%, 20% and 30% were drenched while vermiwash was sprayed on the plants at 0, 1:5 and 1:10 time dilution. Observations were recorded on flowering and post-harvest attributes in winter season of 2011-12 and 2012-13. Results revealed that 6% Panchgavya + 1:5 times dilution of vermiwash + 30% Jivamrita was found most superior than other treatments and resulted in earliest bud initiation , maximum number of flowers/plant, maximum flower bud length, maximum number of petals/flower, larger flower diameter,duration of flowering flower stem length,and flower yield. Post-harvest attributes, viz. initial diameter of bud at harvesting stage, final diameter of flower in vase, initial weight of bud at harvesting stage, final weight of flower in vase and vase life were found superior with the application of 6%,Panchgavya + 1:5 times dilution of vermiwash + 30% Jivamrita.

Effects of nitrogen form of nutrient solution on uptake and concentration macro element and morphological trait in hydroponic tulip

ABSTRACTEffects of nutrient solution composition ratio on (Tulipa gesneriana L.) cv, ʹApricot Parrotʹ and ʹDaytonaʹ growth and flowering were studied hydroponics. Plants were grown with five treatments respectively: S1(0), S2(0.01), S3(0.02) S4(0.03) and S5(0.04) meq L.-1 ammonium or 0,0.38, 0.74, 0.11 and 0.14 ammonium (NH4+)/NH4+nitrate (NO3)−ratios. Flowering was accelerated by increase of ammonium level for both cultivars. Nutrition solution was not significant on the stem length of Daytona cultivar, but maximum flowering stem length occurred S2 solution for Apricot Parrot cultivar. Increasing ammonium level, decreased potassium concentration in the aerial parts. Total nitrogen of new bulbs decreased with increasing ammonium level for both cultivars. Maximum bulblet production rate occurred in plants that were fed with S5 solution. Maximum flower longevity was in S2 solution for both cultivars. growth and quality of tulip were affected by ammonium level in nutrient solution, so for obtain the best flower quality must added to nutrient solution.

Gibberellic Acid Shows Promise for Promoting Flower Stem Length in Four Field-grown Cut Flowers

Increasing cut stem length and reducing crop production time are producers’ goals for numerous cut flower species. One or both of these aims was met in several field-grown cultivars through foliar application of gibberellic acid (GA3), but effectiveness varied by cultivar, application rate, and timing. Of the 13 cultivars tested, stem length was increased in nine cultivars [Toreador Red celosia (Celosia argentea), Camelot White foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Imperial Giants Pink Perfection larkspur (Larkspur hybrids), Compliment mix lobelia (Lobelia hybrids), Nippon Taka ornamental pepper (Capsicum annuum), Amazon Neon Duo and Bouquet Purple sweet william (Dianthus hybrids), Summer Pastels yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Benary’s Giant Scarlet zinnia (Zinnia elegans)], and time to harvest was decreased in four cultivars [High Tide White ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), lobelia, ornamental pepper, and zinnia], when GA3 was applied as a foliar spray. Concentrations of 400, 800, and 1600 mg·L−1 GA3 were most effective. Application of GA3 resulted in malformed or smaller flowers or lighter green foliage in foxglove, lobelia, sweet william, and zinnia. In most cases, only one application was tested, and greatest response to GA3 was observed during 3–6 weeks post application. Gibberellic acid did not influence stem length in three cultivars [High Tide White ageratum, Aurora Deep Purple delphinium (Delphinium hybrids), and Column Lilac Lavender stock (Matthiola incana)], and decreased flower stem length in one cultivar (High Tide Blue ageratum). Four cultivars were identified as good candidates for further research given their promising responses to GA3 treatments.

Pinching, Daminozide and Night-interrupted Lighting Start Date Affect Growth and Flowering of Achillea × ‘Coronation Gold’

A study was conducted to determine the effects of pinching and the plant growth retardant, daminozide (B-Nine), on plant size and flowering of ‘Coronation Gold’ yarrow (Achillea × ‘Coronation Gold’). Greenhouse-grown plants were not pinched or were pinched by removing the apical bud from propagation offsets 3, 5 or 7 weeks after potting. One week after pinching, plants were provided night-interrupted lighting (NIL). Five weeks after pinching, a single application of daminozide was applied at 5,000 ppm to half the pinched and non-pinched plants. Pinching decreased inflorescence stem length by 6.4% and increased the number of flowering and total offsets by 33.3 and 9.1%, respectively. Daminozide application decreased inflorescence stem length and the number of flowering offsets by 7.9 and 40%, respectively, but increased the time to first open inflorescence and the number of non-flowering offsets by 6 days and 28.6%, respectively. Pinching at 7 weeks after potting resulted in the highest number of flowering, non-flowering, and total offsets, the fewest days to flower, and an intermediate flower stem length. In a second experiment, the effects of beginning NIL at different times after pinching the offset from propagation on offset production and flowering were evaluated. All plants were uniformly pinched and NIL was started 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks after pinching. Starting NIL at 4 weeks after pinching resulted in the fewest days to flower, the highest flowering offset number that was similar to starting NIL at 3 weeks, and a flower stem length about equal to all other NIL treatments.

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

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.