Question: Commercial method of propagation followed in commercial cultivation of carnation is (IGKV CET Horti 2019)
Options:
Terminal cutting
Seed
Hardwood cutting
Division
-Uniformity: Cuttings ensure plants with identical genetic characteristics as the mother plant, leading to consistent flower quality, size, and color.
-Speed: Carnations grown from cuttings mature faster and produce flowers earlier compared to plants grown from seeds.
-Disease resistance: Healthy cuttings taken from disease-free mother plants help maintain disease resistance in the new generation.
📌 Other Options:
-(b) Seed: Seeds are not commercially viable for carnation production due to the reasons mentioned above. Seed-grown carnations can be more variable in flower characteristics and take longer to mature. Seeds are typically used for breeding programs or producing specific carnation types.
-(c) Hardwood cutting: Hardwood cuttings are not commonly used for carnations because they tend to root poorly and have lower success rates. They are typically used for plants with woodier stems.