Effect of Mixing Media on Growth and Flower Yield of Marigold

Abstract

Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is a popular flower for cut flower or pot-plant production. In addition, it is used in landscape situation. One of the most important factors for pot-plant production is a growingmedium, which serves as nutrients reserve and is not heavy. Different mixing ratios of materials were investigated to find out suitable mixing media for marigold pot-plant production. Soil compost, bio-organic fertilizer and rice husk charcoal were used as mixing materials at the ratios of 1:1:1, 1:2:1 and 1:3:1. Marigold was grown in these mixing media compared with that grown in soil with recommended rate of chemical fertilizer grade 15-15-15 at the rate of 15 gram per pot. The plants grown in the mixing media at every ratio showed significantly different in growth performances and flower yield from that grown in soil incorporated with chemical fertilizer. The mixing media at the ratios of 1:2:1 and 1:3:1 gave higher plant height, shoot and root dry biomass and size of plant canopy than the soil with chemical fertilization. Moreover, plants grown in the mixing media flowered more quickly (40 days after transplanting) than those grown in soil treated with chemical fertilizer (60 days after transplanting). Number of flowers, dry flower biomass and flower size of the plants grown in the mixing media were also significantly higher than those grown in the soil containing chemical fertilizer indicating that the mixing media innovated in this investigation are the most suitable for pot-flowering production.