EVALUATION OF CARNATION (DIANTHUS L.) VARIETIES IN THE NETHERLANDS : PROCEDURES AND TRIALS

To improve product quality, variety testing is necessary for breeders, growers and consumers of carnation. In The Netherlands the official tests are regulated by The Seed and Planting Material Act.

The general rules for and the methods used in variety trials and evaluation are described.

Important characters for variety evaluation are keeping quality, Fusarium resistance and production. Difficulties with methods to measure these characters and the evaluation are discussed.