7th International Symposium on Chemical and Non-Chemical Soil and Substrate Disinfestation, Leuven, Belçika, 13 - 18 Eylül 2009, cilt.883, ss.409-414
Soil-borne pathogens have become more and more problematic due to continuous production of carnation in recent years in Isparta Province of Turkey. Methyl bromide (MB) was the most effective soil fumigant to control soil-borne diseases, pests and weeds. However, the use of MB had been phased out at the end of 2007 in Turkey. Other methods such as steam, solarization and some chemicals currently used to control these problems are hazardous, ineffective and costly. Therefore, soilless culture may be an effective tool to control soil-borne pathogen in Turkey. Initial investment cost of soilless culture is also expensive; however, locally available substrates may reduce production cost in the long term. Substrates (clinoptilolite and peat) used in this study are locally and large quantitatively available in Turkey. Effects of clinoptilolite and peat mixtures on carnation yields and some quality parameters were investigated in this study. An open soilless culture system was used to grow carnations under plastic-house. Two standard carnation cultivars ('Silkroad' and 'Falcon') grown on two different sizes of clinoptilolite and peat mixtures (empty set 0-0.5 mm and empty set 0.8-2.8 mm) at ratios of clinoptilolite: peat of 1: 1; 2: 1 and 3: 1, v/v1c: 1p, 2c: 1p and 3c: 1p, v/v were produced. Results of this study indicated that effects of growing media and cultivars on yields and quality parameters were statistically significant. The highest yields per plant in both cultivars ('Falcon'; 4.87 stems, 'Silkroad'; 4.68 stems) were obtained from 0-0.5 mm sizes of clinoptilolite + peat mixture at the ratio of 3c:1p, v/v. The lowest yield was in 0-0.5 mm sizes of pure clinoptilolite medium for both cultivars. Cultivar 'Silkroad' provided better yield and quality than that of 'Falcon'. In conclusion; mixtures of clinoptilolite and peat can be successfully used to grow carnations. However, 0-0.5 mm size of clinoptilolite alone may not be suggested for carnation production in Isparta Province.