Growth Of Marigolds Research Articles

Improving marigold agriculture with an IoT-driven greenhouse irrigation management control system

In recent years, the internet of things (IoT) has been used to support the automated farming functions of greenhouses, preventing insects and pests, and stabilizing unsuitable weather and light conditions. Concerning an innovative IoT in agriculture, there are still a number of obstacles to enhancing greenhouses' effectiveness. This study presents the architecture, algorithms, and implementation of an IoT-based automated irrigation control system with temperature and humidity sensors. The system monitors relative humidity parameters using an internet-connected relay that controls irrigation. The relative humidity level is controlled by a 50% threshold. The effectiveness of marigold cultivation can be evaluated by means of marigold stem height, size, number of marigold flowers, and weight of the marigold harvest. The stimulating growth of marigolds is affected in every way by the differences between the proposed IoT system in a greenhouse and the conventional growing method outdoors. This contribution research validates the experimental findings to ensure that the air environment monitoring and irrigation control system consistently increases marigold yield.

Effects of fermented banana pseudo-stem sap (Musa acuminata L.) on the growth and yield attributing characters of marigold variety Karma 555-Orange

The high cost of marigold production through the application of synthetic fertilizers and micronutrients is a major concern for Nepalese farmers. Every year, the nutrient-rich banana pseudo-stems are wasted after harvest. Utilizing the banana’s pseudo-stem for increasing marigold productivity through sustainable agricultural practices, an experiment was conducted to determine the optimum concentration of banana pseudo-stem sap (BPS) to be applied by foliar spraying to marigold variety (Karma 555 – Orange). The BPS was mixed and enriched with different ingredients, such as cow urine, cow dung, neem leaf, green gram leaf, pulse flour, vermin-liquor, jaggery, and fermented curd. The mixture was incubated under anaerobic conditions before applying the foliar spray. The study was carried out in a completely randomized block design, with three replications and seven treatments. The treatments were 0.5 % BPS, 1 % BPS, 2 % BPS, 3 % BPS, 4 % BPS, 5 % BPS, and the control. Data were recorded at 50, 70, and 90 days after transplantation (DAT). Among the treatments, the 3 % BPS solution showed significant effects on most of the growth parameters: plant height (85.07 cm), plant spread (63.47 cm) at 5% level at 90 DAT, and yield attributes such as the number of flowers per plant (74.00) at 5% level, individual flower weight (8.10 g), individual flower diameter (7.55 cm), and flower yield (597.25 g plant-1) at 1% level of significance respectively. It was found that growth and yield attributes increased with increasing concentrations of BPS up to 3 % and decreased thereafter. According to the results, foliar spray of marigold with 3 % BPS (enriched solution) resulted in the highest yield and yield components of marigold in the Chitwan area which could be an effective alternative to synthetic hormones for enhancing the growth and quality of marigolds under field conditions.

IMPACT OF PINCHING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MARIGOLD (Tagetes erecta L.)

Marigold, a member of the Asteraceae family, is a popular ornamental plant grown throughout the world, including Nepal. The color and size of the flowers on marigold plants vary. Marigold plants can reach a height of 5 feet, but pinching procedures can lower this, allowing the intercultural operation to continue. Tagetes erecta L. is one of the most well-known marigold varieties in Nepal. Pinching is a technique for breaking apical dominance and redirecting energy to increase blossom production. Different experiments including treatments like no pinch, single pinch, and double pinches were reviewed to evaluate the effect of pinching on the growth and yield of marigolds. The effect of pinching on marigold growth and yield was investigated by comparing parameters such as plant height, number of branches per plant, number of flowers per plant, and flower size of pinched and unpinched (healthy) plants. The height of the unpinched plant was found to be 25% higher than that of the pinched. When plants are pinched, their apical dominance is broken, which encourages the plant to generate lateral branches and become bushy Because the majority of the nutrition is dislocated from the apical region of the plant when it is pinched; no pinched plants have fewer branches than pinched plants. Pinching stimulates cell division, cell size, leaf area, and photosynthetic compound production, which affects branch formation and, as a result, flower production. According to the results from various trials, double pinching resulted in the highest increase in plant height, number of branches, number of flowers per plant, and bloom size when compared to no pinching.

Effect of Different Levels of Irrigation on Yield and Yield Attributes of Winter Marigold Crop (Tagetes erecta L.)

Agriculture has been indispensable for the subsistence of the people of India in general and farmers in particular. It has naturally been the cornerstone of the Indian economy since time immemorial and agriculture has played a major role in the country's economy since its inception. The research work was done to study the effect of irrigation levels on the yield and growth of winter marigolds. Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) had been taken twice the winter season of 2019-20 and 2020-21. The average flower yield (t/ha) was recorded under the treatment I1 (12.03 t/ha) was found maximum and it was followed by I2 (10.51 t/ha), I3 (9.73 t/ha). The consumptive water use (CWU) was found maximum (26.62 cm) in 100% of ETc and the lowest CWU was found (21.03 cm) in 80% of ETc through a drip system of irrigation in the cropping year 2020-21. Similarly, in 2019-20 CWU was found maximum (18.02 cm) in 100% of ETc, while the lowest CWU was found (14.42 cm) in 80% of ETc. The water use efficiency was found highest in I3 (0.77 t/ha/cm) and minimum WUE was found in I2 (0.525 t/ha/cm) in the cropping year 2019-20. For 2020-21, a maximum WUE was recorded in I2 (0.497 t/ha/cm) and the minimum WUE in I3 (0.335 t/ha/cm).

Physical and Chemical Properties of Substrates Containing Earthworm Castings and Effects on Marigold Growth

The effects of various substrates with or without earthworm [Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826] castings on growth of marigolds were evaluated. In addition, the physical and chemical properties of such substrates were determined. Castings had a greater nutrient content than the remaining substrates. The 4 pine bark: 1 sand treatment (v/v) (PBS) had higher P, K, and Zn than 7 peat moss: 3 perlite (v/v) (PP). PP had the lowest nutrient content of all substrates. Castings (C) had the highest pH followed by 1 PBS: 1 C (v/v), 2 PBS: 1C (v/v) and 3 PBS: 1C (v/v). Sunshine Mix 1 and PP had the lowest pH. EC (ER) was increased by castings, which had high ER. Castings and PP had the greatest percentage pore space. Water-holding capacity was greatest for 2 PBS: 1C (v/v) compared with Sunshine Mix 1 followed by castings. Earthworm castings increased plant growth index, stem diameter, root growth, dry weight, and flower number of marigolds compared with PP, Sunshine Mix 1, and PBS. All mixtures of castings (C) with PP, PBS, except 3 PBS: 1C (v/v), increase the growth index of plants. 1 PP: 1 C (v/v), increased flower number compared with all substrates without castings. Castings alone increased number of open flowers, but did not differ from 1 PP: 1 C or 3 PP:1 C.

Postgermination Drenches with PEG-8000 Reduce Growth of Salvia and Marigolds

We previously found that incorporation of PEG-8000 into the growing medium delayed germination and resulted in shorter seedlings. However, in that study, we were unable to determine whether the reduced height was merely the effect of delayed germination or of reduced elongation after germination. To answer this question, we studied whether postgermination drenches with PEG-8000 can reduce seedling height. Annual salvia (Salvia splendens F. Sellow. ex Roem. & Shult. `Bonfire') and French marigold (Tagetes patula L. `Boy Orange') seedlings were treated with drenches of PEG-8000: 0, 15, 20, 30, 42, 50, 62, 72, or 83 g·L–1. At least 20% of seedlings treated with 62 to 83 g·L–1 of PEG-8000 were dead 14 d after treatment. Salvia and marigolds treated with the remaining PEG-8000 concentrations were up to 34% and 14% shorter than untreated seedlings, respectively. Leaf water (Ψw) and turgor potential (Ψp) also decreased for salvia which were grown with greater concentrations of PEG-8000, one probable cause of the observed reduction in elongation. Since the PEG-8000 in this study was applied after germination, it is clear that PEG-8000 does not reduce elongation merely by delaying germination, but also by reducing the elongation rate. Thus, postgermination drenches with PEG-8000 can be used to produce shorter seedlings.

Effects of humic acids derived from cattle, food and paper-waste vermicomposts on growth of greenhouse plantsThe 7th international symposium on earthworm ecology · Cardiff · Wales · 2002

Summary Humic acids were extracted from cattle, food and paper-waste vermicomposts using an alkali/acid fractionation procedure which produced 1 g dry wt humates from 400 g vermicompost. They were applied to a soilless growth medium, Metro-Mix 360 (MM360), at rates of 0, 250 or 500 mg humates kg–1 dry wt of container medium, to young marigold, pepper, and strawberry plants grown in pots in the greenhouse. A range of 0, 20, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 mg of humates kg–1 of container medium was used for tomatoes. Effects of the humic acids on the plant heights, leaf areas, shoot dry weights, root dry weights of peppers, tomatoes and marigolds and numbers of fruits of strawberries were assessed. Substitution of humates ranging from 250–1000 mg kg–1 MM360 increased root growth of marigolds and peppers, and increased root growth and numbers of fruits of strawberries significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Leaf areas, plant heights and above-ground dry matter weights increased considerably in plants grown in pots containing humic acids but they were not significantly different from those grown in MM360 only (P ≤ 0.05).

Effects of humic acids derived from cattle, food and paper-waste vermicomposts on growth of greenhouse plants: The 7th international symposium on earthworm ecology · Cardiff · Wales · 2002

Humic acids were extracted from cattle, food and paper-waste vermicomposts using an alkali/acid fractionation procedure which produced 1 g dry wt humates from 400 g vermicompost. They were applied to a soilless growth medium, Metro-Mix 360 (MM360), at rates of 0, 250 or 500 mg humates kg - 1 dry wt of container medium, to young marigold, pepper, and strawberry plants grown in pots in the greenhouse. A range of 0, 20, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 mg of humates kg - 1 of container medium was used for tomatoes. Effects of the humic acids on the plant heights, leaf areas, shoot dry weights, root dry weights of peppers, tomatoes and marigolds and numbers of fruits of strawberries were assessed. Substitution of humates ranging from 250-1000 mg kg - 1 MM360 increased root growth of marigolds and peppers, and increased root growth and numbers of fruits of strawberries significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Leaf areas, plant heights and above-ground dry matter weights increased considerably in plants grown in pots containing humic acids but they were not significantly different from those grown in MM360 only (P ≤ 0.05).

Greenhouse Growth of Marigolds in Three Leached Sources of Spent Mushroom Compost over a 3-Year Period

Though high electrical conductivity (EC) levels are commonly held to be the primary limiting factor for using spent mushroom compost (SMC) as a growing substrate, EC can be reduced by leaching. This allowed SMC to be successfully used for growing plants. Leaching reduced EC of the substrate solution from as high of 30 dS·m-1 (mmhos·cm-1) to 2 to 3 dS·m-1, a level acceptable for growing plants. The initial EC and container capacity determined the number of leachings and total volume of water required to lower EC of SMC substrates to acceptable levels. As the concentration of SMC was increased, a higher number of leachings or larger volume of water were required to adequately reduce EC levels. In trials spanning 2.5 years, SMC was effectively used as a substrate in the production of marigold (Tagetes patula) `Yellow Girl'. Benefits to plant growth from SMC incorporation included a slow release of nutrients as the SMC decomposed and a good air-filled pore space/water-holding capacity when amended with a commercial nursery mix. From these trials, it is recommended that SMC be incorporated at rates of 25% to 50%. It is not recommended that SMC be used in concentrations over 50% because the EC may be too difficult to manage and the high levels of air-filled pore space of SMC. Though season may affect the initial EC level of SMC, such variation is minimized by leaching while differences in plant response are more likely to be attributed to environmental conditions. No differences in plant growth were observed among SMC sources.

The influence of earthworm-processed pig manure on the growth and productivity of marigolds

The effects of additions of earthworm-processed pig manure (vermicompost) on the growth and productivity of French marigold ( Tagetes patula) plants were evaluated under glasshouse conditions. Marigolds were germinated and grown in a standard commercial greenhouse container medium (Metro-Mix 360), substituted with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% (by volume) pig manure vermicompost. The control consisted of Metro-Mix 360 alone without vermicompost. Plants were supplied regularly with a complete mineral nutrient solution for 121 days. The greatest vegetative growth resulted from substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 30% and 40% pig manure vermicompost, and the lowest growth was in the potting mixtures containing 90% and 100% vermicompost. Most flower buds occurred in the potting mixtures containing 40% pig manure vermicompost (19.4 buds), and fewest in the potting mixtures containing 100% vermicompost. Marigolds grown in Metro-Mix 360 substituted with 90% and 100% pig manure vermicompost had the fewest and smallest flowers. After substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% vermicompost, the marigold roots were larger than those of plants grown in the Metro-Mix 360 controls. Substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with any concentration of pig manure vermicompost, with all needed nutrients provided, increased the overall nitrate–nitrogen concentrations of the marigold leaf tissues at flowering stage. Some of the marigold growth and productivity enhancement, resulting from substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with pig manure vermicompost, may be explained by nutritional factors; However, other, factors, such as plant-growth regulators and humates, might have also been involved since all plants were supplied regularly with all required nutrients.

Fishwaste Compost Medium Improves Growth and Quality of Container-grown Marigolds and Geraniums Without Leaching

Abstract Utilization of fish waste for producing fishwaste compost (FWC) as a value-added product is preferred to disposing of it in ocean dumping or landfills. This study determined: (i) the effectiveness of FWC as a container-growth medium and N source for greenhouse production of marigolds (Tagetes patula L. ‘Queen Sophia’) and geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum L.H. Bailey ‘Sprinter Scarlet’) that were drip-irrigated to prevent leaching; and (ii) if leaching was necessary to sustain plant growth. In a 3 by 3 factorial experiment, plants were grown in 100% FWC, 50% FWC:50% Douglas-fir bark (B), and 100% B at 0, 160, and 320 mg (0, 0.0056, 0.0112 oz) N container−1 applied as NH4NO3 every 2 weeks. Under drip irrigation, FWC in the 100% FWC growing medium supplied a sufficient amount of available N up to 7 weeks after transplanting to produce plant quality, shoot growth index (SGI), and shoot and root dry weights comparable to those treated with 320 mg N container−1. In the 50% FWC: 50% B growing medium fertilization with 320 mg N improved plant growth and quality 7 weeks after transplanting. The concentration of inorganic N (NO3 plus NH4) in the 100% FWC declined to very low levels 7 weeks after transplanting. This indicated that FWC used as the sole component of the growing medium was an effective N source for marigolds and geraniums up to 7 weeks after transplant. Compared with no leach plants, irrigation of 100% FWC marigolds with a weekly leaching fraction of about 0.55 did not affect quality, SGI, and shoot dry weight at the time-of-sale, 7 weeks after transplant. The FWC did not have sufficiently high salt content to require minimum leaching to prevent salt injury to the plants.

Temperature and Phosphorus Source Affect Phosphorus Retention by a Pine Bark-based Container Medium

These studies were conducted to determine the effect of 1) temperature on P leaching from a soilless medium amended with various P fertilizers, 2) water application volume on P leaching, and 3) various fertilizers on P leaching during production and growth of marigolds (Tagetes erecta L. `Hero Flame'). Increasing temperature linearly decreased leaching fraction; however, total P leached from the single (SSP) or triple (TSP) superphosphate-amended medium did not differ regardless of temperature. Despite a smaller leaching fraction at higher temperatures and no change in the total P leached, P was probably leached more readily at higher temperatures. More P was leached from the medium amended with uncoated monoammonium phosphate (UCP) than from the medium containing polymer-coated monoammonium phosphate (CTP) at all temperatures, and more P was leached from UCP-amended medium at lower temperatures than at higher temperatures. More P was leached from TSP- than from SSP-amended medium and from UCP- than from CTP-amended medium regardless of the water volume applied, but leachate P content increased linearly as water application volume increased for all fertilizers tested. Plant dry weights did not differ regardless of P source. Leachate electrical conductivity (EC) was lower with TSP than with SSP. Leachate EC was also lower with CTP than with UCP. A higher percentage of P from controlled release fertilizer was taken up by plants rather than being leached from the medium compared to P from uncoated fertilizers.

GREENHOUSE SOLARIZATION OF RECYCLABLE MEDIA FOR GROWING MARIGOLDS

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of manure and fertilizer, with and without solarization, on the growth of marigolds. Average plant height was significantly greater in media that was solarized and covered with a plastic film to retain heat. Leaf length was significantly greater in amended media with fertilizer application. Plants grown in covered media produced significantly more flower buds than those grown in noncovered media, while flower numbers were significantly greater for fertilized plants. Plant fresh and dry weights were significantly affected by covering the media during solarization and the application of fertilizer. Media amended with manure significantly affected plant fresh weight only. Flower size showed significant interactions between all factors evaluated in this study.

Effects of Nutrient and Growth Regulator Treatments on the Growth and Development of Marigolds

Two cultivars of Tagetes erecta Marigolds—Hero Yellow and Safari Tangerine—were grown hydroponically in two different nutrient solutions. The experiment was implemented in the greenhouses on the campus of Alabama A&M Univ., from March to May 1995. The experiment was to assess the effects of growth and development of Marigolds. Heights of seedlings, germinated in grodan (rockwool) cubes were measured and placed randomly in the hydroponic units. Plants were drenched with five rates of either Paclobutrazol (Bonzi) and Uniconazole (Sumagic). The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design with either three or four replications of the treatment, which were factorial combinations of variables. After 75 days measurements were made of plants heights, flower bud numbers and dry weights of shoot and root systems. Shoot dry weights were affected by growth regulator treatments, variety, nutrient treatments and a combination of variety and nutrient treatments. Root dry weights were affected by nutrient treatments. Flower bud formation and numbers were affected by the combination of nutrient and variety. Heights were affected by growth regulator treatments, variety and nutrient treatments.

Effect of seaweed concentrate on growth and development of the marigoldTagetes patula

The seaweed concentrate Kelpak, made fromEcklonia maxima, and applied as a foliar spray or a root drench at transplanting, improved both the vegetative and reproductive growth of marigolds. Of particular significance is that the overall production of seeds (fruits) was increased by as much as 50% in some instances. Very low concentrations of seaweed concentrate were not always effective, while the higher dosages decreased vegetative growth.

Effect of aluminum on growth and chemical composition of marigolds

Abstract Marigold (Tagetes erecta L. cv. ‘Discovery Yellow’, “Perfection Yellow’, ‘Inca Yellow’, and ‘Merrymum Yellow') were grown in aluminum (Al) solution culture concentrations of 0, 1, or 4 mg/L. Aluminum increased root length and weight, but had no effect on stem and leaf weight. Uptake and stem and leaf tissue nutrient concentration of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were reduced by the Al treatments. The Al treatments increased stem and leaf concentrations of potassium (K) and decreased the concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). No typical Al‐toxicity symptoms were observed in the roots. Root stunting caused by Fe toxicity was alleviated by the Al treatments.

ALTERNATIVES TO ROCKWOOL; COAL BOTTOM ASH AND PINE WOOD PEELINGS IN NUTRICULTURE.

A recycling nutriculture system was redesigned to improve growth and flowering of Tagetes erecta L., cv., Inca Yellow in four media; loose rockwool (RW), coal bottom ash (CBA), pinewood peelings (PWP) and CBA:PWP (1:1, v/v). Three nutricycle frequencies of 12, 6 and 4 per 12 hour light period were set with a nutricycle duration of 5 minutes. Volume, height and fresh and dry weights of marigolds in CBA, PWP and CBA: PWP were comparable to that of marigolds in RW. Flower diameters of plants in CBA, PWP and CBA:PWP were increased and days to harvest decreased compared to plants in RW. Plants in CBA: PWP increased in fresh weight compared to CBA or PWP plants. No interaction occurred between media and nutricycle frequency at 12 or 4 cycles per 12 hours; however a malfunctioning timer caused prolonged flooding of plant root zones at the 6 cycle setting. This resulted in decreased plant volume and fresh and dry weights at this frequency. These results show that growth and flowering of marigolds in CBA and PWP comparable with that in RW can be achieved with more than 1 nutricycle frequency.

Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and fertiliser application on the growth of marigold

Abstract The effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and different fertiliser rates (compound and superphosphate) on the growth of marigolds were studied in an unsterilised potting mix and in Dunmore silt loam. Inoculation and especially fertiliser application significantly increased shoot length, and shoot and flower dry weight. Flower number was also increased significantly by fertiliser application but not by inoculation. Increasing fertiliser application depressed mycorrhizal root colonisation. Mycorrhizal inoculation may lead to growth responses in bedding plants raised in artificial mix, over and above the effects of fertiliser application.

Slow-release Chlormequat: A New Concept in Plant Growth Regulators1

Abstract Encapsulated 2-chloroethyl-trimethylammonium chloride (chlormequat) stimulated and retarded growth of tomatoes, petunias, snapdragons, and mar-igolds. Low rates (3-6 g of 1, 2 oi 4% active ingredients/liter of growing medium) stimulated earlier bloom up to 14 days in these crops and doubled stem diameter in tomato. Conversely, higher levels of encapsulated chlormequat (12-25 g/liter) retarded plant height to 50% of controls and produced stocky more symmetrical bedding plants without deleterious effects.