Evaluation of Yield, Yield Components and Essential Oil Content of Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) with the Use of Nitrogen and Vermicompost

Abstract

Environmenal problems resulting from application of nitrogen fertilizers in the production plant materials led agricultural specialists to use clean and alternative methods to towards the organic farming and use of organic fertilizers. In this study, thus, the effect of nitrogen and vermicompost fertilizer rates on yield, yield components, essential oil content and some morphological traits of marigold was studied in a split plot experiment based on completely randomized blocks design with 3 replications in Shahr-e-Rey region during 2013 growing season. Nitrogen rates with 3 levels (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg.ha-1) were assigned to main plots and vermicompost with 3 levels (0, 10, and 20 t.ha-1) to the sub plots. Mean comparison of simple effects indicated that the plants treated with 120 kg.ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer and 20 t.ha-1 organic fertilizer vermicompost produced higher trait values under study than control (non application of vermincompost). Interaction effect of experimented factors was significant on all traits under evaluation. Thus, highest seed yield (1567 kg.ha-1), biological yield (6664 kg.ha-1) and essential oil yield (8.85 kg.ha-1) obtained by the application of 120 kg.ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer and 20 t.ha-1 varmicompost. Based on the results obtained it could be said that nitrogen and vermicompost may improve seed and biological yield and yield components of marigold.

Keywords

• Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)
• Morphological traits
• nitrogen
• vermicompost
• yield