Enrichment of marigold (Calendula officinalis) seeds influences seedling vigor and essential oil yield in flowers

Abstract

Most of soils in Iran are deficient in micro-elements. Enrichment of seeds is found to be as suitable method for overcoming micronutrient deficiencies. Marigold is a herbal medicinal plant. In order to study evaluate of seed enrichment by some of micro-nutrients on seedling establishment and yield of marigold two laboratory and field experiments were carried out on marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) at the Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran, during 2012. Treatments were 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% Zinc or Manganese, such as 14.5, 29, 43.5 and 58 g Zinc or 19, 38.5, 58 and 77 g Manganese per liter water, respectively. Each treatment involved weighing nearly 10 g of the seed in a glass cup, adding 20 m L of the priming and allowing the seed + solution mixture to sit covered with plastic. Enrichment at the concentrations of 1%; 1.5%, 2% of zinc or manganese increased final germination percentage of marigold seeds in comparison to the control. The data show that mean seedling vigor index can be increased by seed enrichment with zinc sulfate and manganese sulfate, compared to the control. Seeds enriched in 1% Zinc had higher seedling vigor index, but a greater improvement in the Zinc concentration of the solution did not further increase in seedling vigor index. When seeds primed in the highest concentration of manganese, marigold statistically produced flower yield similar to unprimed treatment. Significant increase in essential oil yield of marigold due to seed enrichment treatments relative to not-enrichment was expected. Enrichment of marigold seeds positively influenced seedling vigor and essential oil yield in flowers.