Abstract
Effect of pinching, both manual and chemical - using alar and cycocel (CCC), was ascertained for improving the
production of compact dwarf carnation var. Red Sim. Two levels of each hormone, i.e., alar at 200 and 400 mg L-1
and cycocel (ccc) at 500 and 1000 mg L-1 were sprayed for the purpose. Plants were compact and dwarf with
increased number of shoots and maximum number of flowers, when treated with higher level of cycocel (1000 mg
L-1) but leaf count and flower size were negatively affected. Dwarfness, number of branches and reduction in leaf
area were directly correlated with the concentration of chemicals. Branch size increased with a concomitant
reduction in number of branches plant-1. Pinching delayed flowering and shortened the blooming period, while
pinching and both chemicals decreased flower size considerably. Lower level of alar (200 mg L-1) proved
ineffective but higher concentration (400 mg L-1) had remarkable effects on different vegetative and floral
characteristics of carnation.
