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

Abstract

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.