The Relationship Between Vermicompost Biofertilizer and Growing Substrates with Calendula officinalis L. Yield and Its Components

Subject Areas : Journal of Ornamental Plants

Behzad Kaviani ¹ , Shohreh Mohammadpour ²

1 -
2 - Department of Horticultural Science, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran

Received: 2025-01-12 Accepted : 2025-03-08 Published : 2025-03-23

Keywords: Biofertilizers, Cultivation beds, Marigold, Organic fertilizers, Ornamental and medicinal plants,

Abstract :

The cultivation of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) has become increasingly significant due to its medicinal benefits and ornamental value. The widespread use of agrochemicals has adversely impacted soil quality, crop yields, and the environment. As a viable alternative, organic amendments and biofertilizers have been suggested to improve both soil and plant health. Vermicompost presents a sustainable approach for providing plant nutrition and enhancing production, thereby promoting soil health and fertility. This experiment was carried out under field conditions to investigate the effects of vermicompost (0, 1, 2, and 3 kg/m²) and growing substrates (field soil, field soil and sand, and field soil, sand, and vermicompost) on some parameters of marigold. Shoot number, flower number, flower diameter, plant dry weight, and flower dry weight were measured. Results showed that the higher levels of vermicompost increased all measured parameters. Comparison between various substrates and different levels of vermicompost showed that substrate including field soil, sand, and animal manure induced more yield and its component than other treatments of the experiment except for 3.0 kg/m² vermicompost. These results underline the potential of bio- and organic fertilizer in improving flower induction of the C. officinalis with the possibility of avoiding chemical fertilization.

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