Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation water amounts (k_cp1: 0.25, k_cp2: 0.50, k_cp3: 0.75, k_cp4: 1.00 and k_cp5: 1.25) and irrigation intervals (I₁: 1-, I₂: 2- and I₃: 3-day) on the yield and some quality parameters of carnation plants (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. 'Turbo') grown in soil under greenhouse conditions. Class A Pan was used to determine irrigation water amounts. Yield and quality parameters (stem length, stem fresh weight, flower diameter and stem diameter) were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by the irrigation water amount and irrigation interval. While node number was affected by irrigation water amount, irrigation interval did not affect node number. The highest total flower number per m² was recorded in I₁k_cp4 (89.56 flowers m^-2), whereas the lowest total flower number per m^-2 was found in I₃k_cp1 (10.0 flowers m^-2). Among the irrigation water amounts, the longest stems were determined in k_cp5 (71.04 cm) and k_cp4 (69.30 cm); however, the difference between both treatments was statistically insignificant. Among the irrigation intervals, the longest stem (67.56 cm) was obtained from the carnations irrigated with high irrigation interval (I₁). The treatments with both the same irrigation water amount and higher irrigation intervals produced higher flowers yield and quality.

Key words: Carnation, irrigation interval, yield, quality parameters, stem length.