Introduction to Marigold

• Botanical Name:
  • Tagetes erecta (African Marigold)
  • Tagetes patula (French Marigold)
• Family: Compositae (Asteraceae family)
• Importance:
  • Marigold is one of the most widely cultivated flowers in the world due to its aesthetic appeal, ease of cultivation, and wide-ranging applications.
  • It is extensively used in religious, cultural, and social functions, particularly for making garlands.
  • The flowers are in high demand during Indian festivals like Dashara, Diwali, Makar Sankranti, and Navratri, making marigold cultivation commercially viable.
  • Marigolds are also popular as cut flowers for floral arrangements, especially due to their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms.

Types of Marigolds

A) African Marigold (Tagetes erecta):

• Characteristics:
  • Tall-growing plants (1 to 3 feet in height).
  • Large, round, and densely packed flowers, ranging from yellow to orange and white.
  • More commonly used in garlands and cut flowers.
• Popular Varieties:
  • Cracker Jack
  • Climax
  • Yellow Supreme
  • Hawai
  • New Alaska
  • Apricot
  • Glitters
  • Happiness
  • Fiesta

B) French Marigold (Tagetes patula):

• Characteristics:
  • Dwarf plants, generally 12 to 18 inches tall.
  • Smaller flowers compared to African marigolds, often with ruffled petals and a wider color range, including red, yellow, orange, and bi-color varieties.
  • Ideal for small gardens, pot cultivation, and as an edging plant.
• Popular Varieties:
  • Rusty Red
  • Star of India
  • Red Bokardo
  • Flash
  • Petit Spray
  • Harmony
  • Gypsy
  • Lemon Drops

Soil:

• Marigolds prefer well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter, and soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral (6-7).
• They do not thrive in heavy clay soils or waterlogged areas.
• The soil should be adequately prepared by incorporating compost or farmyard manure (FYM) to improve structure and fertility.

Climate:

• Temperature: Ideal temperature range for marigolds is between 20°C to 30°C.
• Rainfall: Marigolds can tolerate moderate rainfall but are better suited to dry weather during flowering. Excessive moisture can lead to disease and reduced flower quality.
• Humidity: Marigolds grow well in humid climates, but they cannot tolerate frost or extremely cold weather. Frost-sensitive plants should be grown in areas with a warm climate or after the last frost date.

Propagation of Marigold

• Method: Marigolds are propagated from seeds, making them easy to grow for both commercial growers and home gardeners.
• Seed Rate: Typically, 1 to 1.5 kg of seeds are required per hectare for large-scale cultivation.

Raising Seedlings:

• Timing: Seeds should be sown from May to June, depending on the local climate.
• Process:
  • Seeds are broadcasted on raised seedbeds that have been well-prepared with fine, loose soil.
  • Water the seeds regularly to maintain soil moisture.
  • Once the seeds germinate and seedlings reach a height of 10-15 cm (after 4-6 weeks), they are ready for transplanting.

Transplanting and Spacing

• Transplanting Time: Marigold seedlings are ready to be transplanted when they are around 1 month old or have grown to a height of 10-15 cm.
• Spacing:
  • For African Marigold, maintain a spacing of 60 x 60 cm between plants to allow for their larger size.
  • For French Marigold, a closer spacing of 45 x 45 cm is suitable due to the smaller size of the plants.
• Land Preparation: Ensure the soil is well-prepared and enriched with compost or organic matter before transplanting. The soil should also be properly tilled to a depth of around 15-20 cm.
• Bed Preparation: Raised beds or flat beds can be used, depending on the local topography.

Nutritional Requirements

• Organic Matter: Apply 20 to 25 tons of FYM per hectare to improve soil fertility.
• Fertilizers:
  • Nitrogen (N): 25 kg/ha
  • Phosphorus (P): 25 kg/ha
  • Potassium (K): 25 kg/ha
  • Fertilizers should be applied in split doses. A basic dose can be applied at the time of transplanting, and top-dressing can be done after 4-6 weeks.
• Micronutrients: Marigolds require micronutrients like iron, manganese, and zinc, which can be applied as foliar sprays if deficiencies are observed.

Special Cultural Practices

• Pinching:
  • Pinching is done to promote bushy growth and increase lateral branches. It should be done about 3 weeks after transplanting or 1 month after transplanting when the plant is actively growing.
  • Pinching encourages the plant to produce more side shoots, resulting in more flowers.

• Earthing Up:
  • Earthing up is practiced to support the plant and encourage better root growth. This should be done 1 month after transplanting, right after pinching.

Irrigation and Watering

• Watering Frequency:
  • During the vegetative growth phase, keep the soil moderately moist. Marigolds need consistent moisture, especially during bud formation and flowering.
  • Avoid waterlogging; it can damage the plant roots and promote fungal diseases.
  • Drip irrigation or furrow irrigation is ideal, as it conserves water and avoids excess moisture on the leaves.
  • Water early in the morning or in the evening when the temperature is cooler.

Harvesting Marigold Flowers

• Harvesting Time:
  • French Marigolds: Start flowering about 1 to 1.5 months after transplanting.
  • African Marigolds: Flowering starts about 1.5 to 2 months after transplanting.

• Flower Picking:
  • For garlands and loose flowers: Flowers should be fully open, and the stalk should be removed.
  • For vase decoration: Fully open flowers with a stalk are harvested to maintain their freshness.

• Post-Harvest Handling:
  • Flowers are packed in bamboo baskets for sale in local markets or can be bunched and tied for transport.
  • Storage: Fresh flowers can be stored in cool places to maintain their quality before selling.

• Yield:
  • Per plant: Typically, each plant yields around 100-150 flowers.
  • Per hectare: The yield can range from 6000 to 8000 kg of flowers per hectare (or 100 to 150 quintals per hectare).

• Pests:
  • Thrips: Cause deformed flowers. Use 0.1% Nuvacron spray to control.
  • Caterpillars: Control with regular monitoring and spraying of insecticides like Dipel or Bt.

• Diseases:
  • Leaf Spots and Black Spots: These diseases cause spots and lesions on leaves. Use 0.2% Dithane M-45 to control fungal infections.
  • Root Rot: Caused by excessive moisture, leading to root decay. Avoid waterlogging and ensure proper drainage.
  • Powdery Mildew: This disease causes a white, powdery coating on leaves. Control with sulfur-based fungicides.