Role of Micronutrients (FeSO4) in African Marigold

Marigold is one of the most commonly grown commercial flower crops in India and has varied uses of its flowers. Today, there is a huge demand for natural colours in the international market. Marigold is one of such potential flower crops for natural colour extraction. The African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) having higher xanthophyll content as compared to other species. Presently, the commercial extraction of marigold carotenoids is being done in India and is regularly exported to Mexico, Peru, USA, Japan, Spain, Romania, The Netherlands, Turkey, Poland, Italy, Australia, Canada, Africa etc. Micronutrients are essentially as important as macronutrients to have better growth, yield and quality in plants. Considering the popularity of marigold and its potential for capturing markets, the present study was undertaken to find out growth, flower yield, quality and xanthophyll content of African marigold Pusa Narangi as influenced by various micronutrients (FeSO4 and ZnSO4) in calcareous soil. This publication will benefit the students, professionals, industry people and landscapers.