RESPONSE OF DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS L. PLANTS TO FOLIAR NUTRITION

This investigation was inducted at Nubaria Region, West of Alexandria City, Egypt, during 2006 and 2007 seasons to study the influence of different concentrations (0.0,0.2,0.4,0.6,0.8, and 1.0 %) of foliar fertilizer contains macro - elements (20%N, 20% P, 20% K, 0.12% Mg) and micro - elements (70 ppm Fe, 14 ppm Zn, 16 ppm Cu, 42 ppm Mn, 72ppm B and 24 ppm Mo) on the growth, flowering, and chemical analysis of leaves of Dianthus caryophyllus cv. "Red Sim". The foliar fertilizer was applied 5 times during the growing period. The results revealed that plant treated with foliar nutrition showed significant increase in the growth characteristics (stem length , stem diameter, stem fresh and dry weight, number of leaves/ plant, fresh and dry weight of leaves). As well as, stimulated the flowering parameters ( reducing the number of days from planting to flowering, increased both number, size, fresh and dry weight of flowers/plant) compared to the untreated plants (control). The treatment of 0.6 % of foliar fertilizer gave the highest values compared to the other treatment in both seasons. The total chlorophyll (a+b) , carotenoides and total carbohydrates (%),the mineral contents of leaves( N,P,K, Zn and Cu ) were significantly increased as a result of spraying the plants with foliar fertilizer at different rates compared to the control treatments.