Carnation Case Study

INTRODUCTION
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is one among the most popular commercial cut flowers of the world, ranking second in commercial importance next only to roses (Jawaharlal et al., 2012). It is preferred by several exporting countries, on account of its excellent keeping quality, wide range of shapes, sizes and colours and ability to withstand long distance transportation (Salunkhe et al., 1990; Kanwar et al., 2010; Jawaharlal et al., 2012). In 2013, it was ranked 16th among the top 25 cut flowers sold in the Dutch auction with a turnover of €24 million. It was fourth among the top ten imported cut flower to the Netherlands after roses, gypsophila and St John’s Wort (FloraHolland, 2014).
In carnation production, greater number

It has been revealed that they have the capacity of enhancing nutrition efficiency and/or stress response (Du Jardin, 2012). The global biostimulants market consists of acid based and extracts based biostimulants. Acid based biostimulants are further classified as humic acid, fulvic acid and amino acids. Extract based biostimulants contains seaweed based biostimulants. Paradiković et al., (2011) reported that a positive influence of biostimulant treatment on yield parameters and was observed on pepper a positive effect on the vitamin C and total phenolic contents in pepper fruits during the hot summer season. Abdel Aziz et al,.2009 revealed that increasing the phenylalanine and tryptophan acids concentrations gradually increased significantly all growth parameters, vegetative and flowering stages (plant height, number of branches, fresh and dry weights of plant as well as length of inflorescence, number of inflorescences/plant and fresh and dry weights of inflorescences/plant), and the contents of the photosynthetic pigments, total soluble sugars and total free amino acids in the leaves of Antirrhinum majus. This paper, therefore, presents results of the research carried out to determine the effects of bioslurry and application of Hicure® (an amino acid based biostimulant ) on growth, yield of carnations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1. Experimental Site
This

The experiment was laid out in an area of 27.5m by 5.6 m and each block measured 27 m by 1 m. The main plot measured 5.5 m by 1m (5.5m2) while the sub-sub plot was 1m by 1m (1m2). Inter-plot buffer zone of 0.5 m and 1m buffer zone separating individual main blocks was left. Bioslurry was applied at 0, 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 L m-2. It was diluted in 1 litre of irrigation water prior application. The Levels of Hicure® used were 0, 2, 2.5 and 3 L ha-1 applied to the sub-plots and the product were drenched after pinching. Prior to application, each level of Hicure® was thoroughly mixed with water at the rate of 5000L ha-1. Both, bioslurry and Hicure® applied four times at bi-weekly intervals. Routine management practices included irrigation, fertigation, supporting, weeding, training, disbudding, pest management. Harvesting was done at the paint brush stage when petals will have started to elongate outside the