Effect of foliar application of nickel on physiological and phytochemical characteristics of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Abstract

Abstract Nickel (Ni) is one of the important heavy metals and elements identified as fundamental for plant growth and development. In order to investigate the effect of different concentrations of nickel on physiological and phytochemical traits, this research was conducted as a pot experiment. Treatments consisted of 5 different concentrations of nickel nitrate, including 0 (control), 0.07, 0.156, 0.234, 0.312 mg/L in four replications. Foliar application of different concentrations of nickel was performed in two stages: The first stage is in 2–4 leaves and the second stage was at the time of budding. Results showed that different concentrations of nickel had significant effects on physiological and phytochemical traits of marigold. The best treatment for improvement of plant growth parameters and antioxidant activity was observed at concentration of 0.156 mg/L but physiological traits were most frequently at concentration of 0.234 mg/L. Ni at high concentrations had a detrimental effect on the indices studied. Although, total phenol content increased with increasing Ni concentration. Therefore, application of appropriate concentrations of Ni can improve the physiological and phytochemical traits of pot marigold flowers.