Effects of gamma ırradiation and cultivation system on the growth, nutrient uptake, and vase life of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.), which belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae, is one of the leading high-value cut flowers in the world, ranked among the top 10 cut flowers traded in the global floriculture market. Gamma irradiation may be an alternative strategy for increasing crop yield and introducing new varieties. The purpose of this research was to assess how gamma irradiation of carnation seeds and the type of cultivation—soil or hydroponic—affect the plant's vegetative growth, leaf mineral content, flower morphology, and vase life. The data revealed that gamma irradiation of carnation seeds enhanced plant vegetative growth parameters, leaf mineral content, flower morphological characteristics, and vase life. Additionally, the beneficial effects of irradiation increased with the increasing dose of irradiation. Moreover, soil cultivation yielded better vegetative parameters than hydroponic cultivation, regardless of the seed irradiation dose. Regarding flower characteristics and leaf mineral content and uptake, soil cultivation plays a strong positive role. However, hydroponic cultivation of seeds irradiated with high doses may outperform cultivation in soil for seeds irradiated with smaller doses. In conclusion, gamma irradiation of carnation seeds improved plant vegetative growth parameters and flower morphological characteristics, as well as vase life, with the best dose being 30 Gy. However, soil cultivation is superior to hydroponics; irradiated carnation seeds (30 Gy) grown hydroponically can yield plants with superior vegetative and flowering characteristics and expand the amount of land under cultivation in cities, hence eliminating pollution and slowing down climate change.