EFFECT OF BENZYL AMINO PURINE (BAP) AND ITS TIME OF APPLICATION ON THE DWARFISM AND FLOWER PRODUCTION OF CUT CARNATION (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Growth retardants like BAP have a major effect in the growth and physiology of plants, They mostly often suppress the height of stem by antagonizes the action of auxins and counteract the apical dominance and its direct application to plants fortifies cell division and growth of the dormant buds ultimately improving the plants bushiness. The experiment was conducted at the Ornamental nursery. Department of Horticulture. The University of Agriculture Peshawar during the year 2018 to evaluate the effect of Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) and its time of application on the dwarfism and flower production of carnation using Randomized Complete Block Design with split plot arrangement. The treatments comprising of different concentration of BAP (0, 30, 60 and 90mgL) and different time of foliar application (7, 14, 21 and 28 days after transplantation). Maximum (days to flowering, number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-I, leaf area (cm2), number of flowers plant-1, No. of petals flower and survival percentage (%)) and minimum value of plant height (cm), fresh flower weight (g) and dry flower weight (g)) were observed when BAP was applied at 90 mg L-1. Among foliar application, maximum plant height (g), number of branches plant', number of leaves plant'. leaf area (cm`) and No. of petals flower' were observed after 28 days of foliar application of BAP. While foliar application of BAP after 7 days had observed maximum value of days to flowering, number of flowers plant-1, fresh flower weight (g), dry flower weight (g) and survival percentage (A) of carnation. Based on the findings it is concluded that BAP @ 90 mg L' and foliar application after 7 days of transplantation performed a better role in reducing the plant height and improving flower production in carnation under the agro-climatic condition of Peshawar valley.

Automated summary

Growth retardants like BAP have a significant impact on plant growth, with the best results observed when applied at 90mg/L and 7 days after transplantation.