The effects of different planting systems and densities on yield and quality in summer carnation production.

-iii-ABSTRACTIn this research the effects of different planting systems and densities on yieldand quality of carnation was investigated and it was carried out in Isparta provincebetween 2003 and 2004. In this research, eight different treatments were examined,those were consisted of different planting densities (40-59 plants/m2) and plantingsystems (4, 5, 6 rows and triangle shaped) were examined and 16 carnation cultivars(eight from each standard and spray cultivars) from Dianthus caryophyllus L. specieswere used as plant material.When planting densities and systems were evaluated for yield and qualityparameters, it was observed that low planting densities and systems were producedhigher scores for stem diameter, stem weight, dry matter and vase life than those ofhigh planting densities; on the contrary, they resulted in lower stem length. It wasalso determined that an earlier budding and bud and full flowering time in lowplanting densities and systems were earlier than those of high planting densities.While higher yield scores per plant were observed in low planting densities andsystems, it was observed that higher yield scores per m2 were in high plantingdensities. But in spray cultivars, it was determined that the total yield per m2 wasdecreased in the highest planting density and system (S-8).When the cultivars were evaluated for yield and quality parameters; in thestandard carnation cultivars, the longest stem lenght, the biggest flower diameter andthe heaviest stem weight were observed in Vittorio cultivar. It was also determinedthat the thickest stem was in Negev cultivar, the highest dry matter content was inSilkroad and Negev cultivars, the highest petal number was in Negev and Omaggiocultivars, and the longest vase life was in Polka cultivar. Both the highest total floweryields per plant and per m2 area were obtained from Judith and Lia cultivars, it wasalso observed that the lowest total flower yields per plant and per m2 area were inSilkroad cultivar. In standard carnation cultivars, while the shortest stem was-iv-observed in Malaga cultivar; the lowest node numbers, the thinnest stem, the lighteststem weight, and the lowest flower diameter were observed in Omaggio cultivar.In spray carnation cultivars, the longest stem length and the thickest stemdiameter were observed in Optima cultivar. It was also determined that the highestflower bud number per flowering stem was in Isabelle cultivar, the heaviest stemweight was in Orange Isabelle and Optima cultivars, and the longest vase life was inIsabelle and Optima cultivars. The highest flower yields per plant and total floweryield per m2 area were determined in White Natila, and the lowest results wereobserved in Isabelle cultivar. The shortest stem was determined in White Natila,Scarlette and Natila cultivars. The thinnest stem was determined in Scarlette cultivar.The lowest flower bud number per flowering stem was observed in Natila, the lowestdry matter content and the lightest stem were observed in White Natila cultivar.KEY WORDS: Carnation, planting system, plant density, yield, quality