Wheat crop information

Introduction
	Perpetual carnations (Dianthus caryophyllyus) can be planted round the year under greenhouse environment if temperature is maintained at 20-25⁰C.
Varieties
	Among standard type cultivars, Master, Tanga, Sonsara, Laurella, Solar, Dakar, Raggio di Sole, Cabaret and Isac are most promising, while Bagatel, Cherrybag, Fantasia, Picaro, Ondelia, Sintonia and Macarena are spread types.
Planting and fertilizer
	Plant density of 20-30 plants/m² is optimal (1.5 –2.0 lakh/ha). A fertilizer dose of 40 g nitrogen (N), 20 g phosphorus (P₂O₅) and 10g potash (K₂O) is ideal. Liquid feeding of carnation plants with nutrient levels of 190 ppm N and 156 ppm K, and 1 ppm B with each irrigation water results in high grade carnation. Overhead sprinkling is quite effective and economical than soil surface irrigation. At bud appearance stage, over-head sprinklers should be replaced with soil surface system.
Important practices
	Pinching, disbudding and deshooting are important practices followed in the standard carnations. Leaving 5-6 nodes on the plant should generally do pinching. In case of standard type, terminal buds are retained and all auxiliary buds are removed and vice-versa in spray type. Plants need support 2-3 layers of nylon mesh (10x10 cm size)] when 45 cm in height. Supplementary lighting from dusk to dawn with 10 watt incandescent bulbs hung at 1.5 m above the beds 1m apart during winter produce early flowers of better quality.
Plant protection
	Pest
	Caterpillars and red spider mites
	These pests are the important threat to the crop.
Control
	Spraying with sevin is effective in controlling the pests.
Disease
	Fusarium wilt, stems rot and leaf-spot
	These are major diseases and which require effective control.
	Control
	In case of wilt sterilization of soil and treatment of seeds before sowing are quite effective in controlling the disease. For stem rot spraying of Bavistin, Derosmal @ 0.05 - 0.1% should be used. Spraying the plants with Dithane-M45 or Ziram @ 0.2% is effective in controlling the leaf spot disease.
Harvesting and yield
	Standard carnations are harvested at paint brush stage and sprays when 2-3 upper flowers in the inflorescence are open and remainders showing colour. The flowers can be stored at 2-4⁰C remains for longer time. Yearly production of 300-400 flower/m² is ideal and economical.