MaRigold

Marigold (Tagetes spp.) is one of the most popular flowering annuals grown for loose flowers and also for landscape gardening and pot plants. The flowers are suitable for garlands and floral decorations. Carotenoids extracted from marigold flowers are the major source of pigment for poultry feed. Marigold flowers are also in demand by Pharmaceutical industries for extraction of Lutein. It is popular as trap crop for management of pests in most of the vegetable crops. It is also used in crop rotation for management of nematode.

cuttings

Tip cuttings with 2-3 nodes of 6-8 cm can be rooted in cocopeat. Rooting can be obtained by 20-25 days. Cuttings placed at a humidity of 80% roots better.

seeds

Seed rate for marigold varies from 1 to 1.5 kg/ha and takes about 5-7 days for germination. Seeds can be sown in nursery beds in lines in shallow furrows. Nursery beds are prepared by mixing 8-10 kg of well decomposed cow dung manure per one m2 of bed. The width of the seedbed should be around 1.2 m and 15 cm height. Seedlings will be ready for planting 20-25 days after sowing.

cultivation practices

  • Planting

     Hybrids: Raised beds of 1 meter width can be prepared with spacing of 1 meter between the beds. Planting is taken up in paired rows with 40 cm distance between the rows. Plant to plant distance within a row is maintained at 90 cm and zig zag method of planting is followed between the paired rows. Alternatively, planting can also be taken at a spacing of 90 cm x 90cm.

    Varieties: 40 cm x 60 cm can be sufficient for varieties.

  • manures and fertilizers

    The cow dung manure at 50 t/ha should be applied during land preparation. N:P:K @ 75:50:50 is the recommended fertilizer dosage. Half of the fertiliser should be applied as basal dose before planting. Remaining fertilizer can be applied in 3 equal split doses at an interval of month. Micro nutrient spray of MgSO4(1.25g) + ZnSO4(1 g) + Borax (0.25g) in 1 litre of water improve the plant growth and enhance the flower quality.

     

  • Irrigation and interculture

    Irrigate the crop once in 4-6 days depending upon soil moisture and weather conditions. Weeding is done manually and 3-4 times weeding are required during the entire crop growth period. Pinch the buds and terminal portion of the plants till 4-6 weeks after transplanting to encourage branching and increased number of flower bud formation.

  • Harvesting and yield

    Harvesting of flowers should be done either in the morning or evening. Flower yield depends upon season and cultural practices adopted. Harvesting duration depends on variety. In Arka series of hybrids, a potential yield of 20-25 tons/ha can be expected. In Pusa series varieties, maximum yield of 8-10 ton/ha is expected.