Effect of Vermicompost and Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer on Morpho-physiological Properties of Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)

Subject Areas : Journal of Crop Ecophysiology

Milad Heydari ¹ , Amir Mohammad Daneshian Moghaddam ² , Hassan Nourafcan ³

1 - M.Sc. Graduate in Landscape Engineering, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
2 - استادیار واحد شبستر، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، شبستر، ایران
3 - Assistant Prof., Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Mianeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mianeh, Iran

Received: 2016-05-22 Accepted : 2016-12-23 Published : 2017-02-19

Keywords: Marigold, Medicinal plant, Ornamental plant, Vermicompost fertilizer, Seaweed liquid fertilizer,

Abstract :

Marigold is an ornamental and medicinal plant and has also industrial in cosmetalogical uses. To evaluate the effects of vermicompost and seaweed fertilizers on some morpho-physiological properties of the plant, a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications was conducted in pot in Mianeh. In this experiment, the first factor was vermicompost fertilizer at four levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 t.ha-1) added to the pot soil and the second factor was for levels of liquid seaweed fertilizer (0, 1, 2 and 3 percent) sprayed on foliage. The assessed traits were leaf, root and stem dry weights, root volume, number of secondary shoots, plant height, leaf number, flowering period, number of flowers, flower diameter, dry weight of flowers, leaves electrolyte leakage, leaf area (LA) and essential oil percentage and yield. The results showed that application of vermicompost increased some traits, including plant height (18.58 cm), number of branches (4.3 branches), root volume (3.4 cm³) and leaf area index (65.55 cm2). Using 3 percent of liquid seaweed fertilizer was also effective. In general, application of 5 tons per hectare of vermicompost with 3 percent of liquid seaweed fertilizer resulted in highest flower and stem dry weights.

References:

Azizi, M., F. Rezvani, M. Hasanzadeh- Khayat, A. Lakzian, and H, Nemati. 2008. Effects of various levels of vermicompost and irrigation on morphological characteristics and essence of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 24(1): 82-93. (In Persian).
Bachman, C.R., and J.D. Metzger. 2008. Growth of bedding plants in commercial potting substrate amended with vermicompost. Bioresource Technology Science. 99: 3155-3161.
Blunden, G., and P.B. Wildgoos. 1977. The effect of aqueous seaweed extract and kinetin on potato yields. Journal of Food Agriculture Science. 28: 138-143.
Campbell, N.S. 2008. The use of rockdust and composted materials as soil fertility amendments. M.Sc thesis, University of Glasgow. 402 pp.
Chamani, E., D.C. Joyce, and A. Reyhanytabar. 2008. Vermicompost effects on the growth and flowering of petunia hybrida ‘Dream Neon Rose. American-Eurasian Journal of Agriculture and Environment Science. 3 (3): 506- 512.
Darzi, M.T., A. Ghalavand, F. Rejali, and F. Sephidkon. 2007. Effects of biofertilizers application on yield and yield components in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 22(4): 276-292. (In Persian).
•Falahatgar, A. 2003. Medicinal plants. Advertising Bureau of Tehran. 379 pp. (In Persian).
Gajdos, R. 1997. Effects of two composts and seven commercial cultivation media on germination and yield. Compost Science and Utilization. 5: 16-37.
Hidlago, P.R., F.B. Matta, and R.L. Harkess. 2006. Physical and chemical properties of substrates containing earthworm castings and effects on marigold growth. Horticulture Science. 41: 1474-1476.
Jashankar, S., and K. Wahab. 2005. Effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth, yield components and yield of sesame. Sesame and Safflower Newsletter. 20: 602-608.
Karthick, A. 2003. Organic cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants: A hope for sustainability and quality enhancement. Journal of Organic Production of Medicinal, Aromatic and Dye Yielding Plants. 2: 36-47.
Koochaki, A.R., Sh. Amir Moradi, J. Shabahang, and S. Kalantari Khandani. 2013. Effect of organic fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of medicinal plants Plantago Ovate Forssk., Alyssum homolocarpum L., Lepidium perfoilatum L., and Lalementia iberica L. Journal of Agroecology. 1: 16-26. (In Persian).
Mahfouz, S.A., and M.A. Sharaf-Eldin. 2007. Effect of mineral vs. biofertilizer on growth, yield, and essential of fennel (Foeniculum vulgarw Mill.). International Journal of Agrophysics Science. 21: 361-366.
Moradi, R., M. Nasiri Mahallati, P. Rezvani Moghaddam, A. Lakzian, and A. Nejad Ali. 2011. The effect of application of organic and biological fertilizers on quantity and quality of essential oil in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Journal of Horticultural Science. 25(1): 25-33. (In Persian).
Omidbaigi, R. 2007. Production and processing of medicinal plants. Behnashr Publications. Tehran. 347 pp. (In Persian).
Rezaee, M., and R. Baradaran. 2013. Effect of biofertilizers on the yield and yield components of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 29: 635-650. (In Persian).
Salehi Surmaghi, H. 2006. Medicinal plants and phytotherapy. Donyaee Taghzie, Tehran, Iran, 434 pp. (In Persian).
Samsam Shariat, S.H. 2004. Collection of medicinal herbs. Rozbahan Publications. 393 pp. (In Persian).
Sasikumar K., T. Govindan, and C. Anuradha. 2011. Effect of seaweed liquid fertilizer of Dictyota dichotoma on growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculantus L. European Journal of Experimental Biology. 1(3): 223-227.
Sing, K.B., R.S. Malhaotra, M.C. Saxena, and G. Bejiga. 1997. Superiority of winter sowing over traditional spring sowing of chickpea in the Mediterranean region. Agronomy Journal. 89: 112-118.
Sivasankari, S., V. Venkatesalu, M. Anantharaj, and M. Chandrasekaran. 2006. Effect of seaweed extracts on the growth and biochemical constituents of Vigna sinensis. Bioresource Technology. 97: 1745-1751.
Sridhar, S., and R. Rengasamy. 2011.Effect of seaweed liquid fertilizer on growth, pigment concentration and yield of Amaranthus roxburghinus and Amaranthus tricolor under field trial. Journal of Current Research. 3(7): 131-134.
Whalen, J.K., C. Ching, and B.M. Olsen. 2001. Nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization potentials of soil receiving repeated annual cattle manure applications. Biology and Fertility of Soils Journal. 34: 334-341.

Zodap, S.T., A. Gupta, S.C. Bhandari, U.S. Rawat, D.R. Chaudhary, K. Eswarana, and J. Chikara. 2011. Foliar application of seaweed sap as biostimulant for enhancement of yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersican esculentum Mill). Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research. 70:215-219.