Tagetes is the common English name for plants of the genus Marigold. Plants in this genus are both annual and perennial. The majority of the species in this genus are herbaceous plants native to Southern Mexico.
However, some marigold species can be found all over the world, and some are even called invasive.
The most common cultivated species in this genus are African marigolds and French marigolds. Because some marigold species resist pests like insects, they’re sometimes grown alongside commercially valuable crops like tobacco, potato, and tomato. Tagetes minuta is a kind of marigold that is used to make “marigold oil,” which is utilised in the manufacturing of perfumes and food flavouring agents.
There are numerous other marigold species that have yet to be identified. The following are some of the most well-known:
- Tagetes lucida
- Tagetes minuta
- Tagetes elongata
- Tagetes subvillosa
- Tagetes tenuifolia
Tagetes, often known as Marigold, come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 0.1 to 2.2 metres tall. The leaves of the majority of these plants are pinnately green. Blooms are naturally orange, golden, white, and yellow in colour, with maroon highlights. The floral heads are typically 1–4–6 cm in diameter, having both ray and disc florets. Despite the fact that all perennial plants are becoming more popular, they are still commonly planted as annuals in gardening. They have fibrous roots as well.
The Tagetes species can grow in a wide variety of soils, depending on the species. Even though some cultivars are known to be drought tolerant, most horticultural selections grow best in soil with sufficient drainage.
Cultivation and Uses
Marigold foliage has a distinct, musky aroma, yet depending on the species, certain kinds have been cultivated to be scentless. Some nematodes and common insect pests are claimed to be deterred by it. As a result, eggplant, tomato, chilli pepper, potato, and tobacco are frequently utilised as companion plants. Tagetes should not be grown near any legume crop due to the antibacterial thiophenes released by the roots. Rabbit, Deer, Javelina or Peccary-resistant, and Rodent are some of the perennial species.
- Minuta (also known as Khaki bush or Huacatay) is a South American plant that produces an essential oil known as Tagete or “Marigold oil” and is used as a flavouring in the tobacco and food industries. It’s most commonly grown in South Africa, where it’s also used as a pioneer species plant in land reclamation.
Tagetes erecta florets are high in the orange-yellow carotenoid lutein, which is used as a food colour (INS number E161b) in foods such as vegetable oil, pasta, mayonnaise, margarine, salad dressing, baked goods, confectionery, ice cream, yoghurt, dairy products, mustard, and citrus juice in the European Union. The extracts and powders are exclusively permitted as colourants in chicken feed in the United States.
Marigolds are a nectar supply and dot moth for other butterflies, as well as a food plant for a few Lepidoptera caterpillars. They’re frequently included in butterfly garden plants. In addition, beetles pollinate several species in the wild.
Utilizes/Nutrient Value
Marigold is grown for its attractive production of free blooms as well as a source of colour for poultry feed. Blossoms are sold as-is or after being made into festoons on the market.
It can also be used as cut bloom in addition to free blooming. Because of its varying height and colour of flowers, marigold is used mostly for decoration and also in scene planning. It works well as a sheet material plant in the herbaceous line and greenery. Rockeries, edging, hanging crates, and window boxes all benefit with French Marigold.
Leaf glue is used to combat bubbles and carbuncles from afar. For ear throb, leaf separation is a good option. Blossoms separated is a blood purifier, a remedy for emptying wastes, and a good treatment for eye ailment and ulcers. Medicinal oil can be found in a variety of forms.
Soil Requirement
Marigold is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions and, as a result, may thrive in a wide range of environments. A deep, fertile, friable soil with a high water holding capacity, all around depleted, and close to neutral in reaction (pH 7.0 – 7.5) is generally appealing.
A fertile and sandy topsoil is ideal for Marigold development.
Planning of Field
By digging and joining a lot of poor FYM, nursery beds are completely ready.
To keep insects away, Malathion residue should be removed on the outside of nursery beds before planting the seeds.
Establishing Material and Propagation
Marigolds are mostly dispersed by seeds, although they can also be propagated via cuttings.
Seed-grown crops are tall, lively, and heavy.
Around 1.0 kilogramme seed is required to raise seedlings for one hectare. Seeds can be placed in pots, seed boxes, or level or raised nursery beds to raise seedlings.
Seeds should be sown sparingly and covered with light soil, sand, or sieved leaf form; watering should also be completed with a fine nose. Cutting technique involves taking 6-10 cm long cuttings from the apical portion of the shoot and treating them with root advancing chemicals such as IAA and IBA.
Season of Transplanting
Moving is most convenient in mid-July, mid-October, and February-March. They should be 7 to 10 cm tall and bear 3-4 real leaves at the time of relocation. Relocating should be done carefully in order to arrive in the nighttime hours.
Separating
For a high return, Tagetes erecta requires a separation of 40 x 30 cm, but Tagetes patula requires a separation of 20 x 20 cm or 20 x 10 cm.
Water and Irrigation Management
The frequency and amount of water is mostly determined by factors such as soil and season.
A more frequent water system is required in lighter soil than in heavier soil.
In sandy topsoil soil, a week-by-week water system is critical from September to March.
During late spring, from April to June, 5 day intervals between successive water systems are required.
Weed Management
Controlling weeds is an important part of the Marigold production process.
For the entire duration in India, 3-4 manual weeding is required. Compound weed control is also recommended.
Bug Management
Red cockroach (Tetranychus sp.)
These insects appear on the plant near the time of blossoming.
Plants give off a dusty vibe. Showering Metasystox 25 E C, Rogor or Nuvacron 40 E C, or, on the other hand, Ketone @ 1 ml/l of water, tends to restrain it.
Caterpillar with a long tail (Diacrisia diagonal)
This caterpillar eats the leaves. At 1 ml/l of water, Nuvan or Thiodan can restrain this caterpillar.
Infection Management
Rhizoctonia solani causes it, and it appears as brown necrotic spots supporting the radicle, eventually spreading to the plumule and causing pre-development mortality.
When infected seedlings are retrieved, the root structure seems to be entirely or partially rotten.
Prior to planting, seeds should be treated with 3 g of Captan or 2.5 g of Carbendazim per kilogramme of seeds.
Blossom Bud Decay
Alternaria dianthi is the cause of it.
The disease primarily affects young bloom buds, causing them to dry out and perish.
On mature buds, indications are less visible, yet these buds fizzle out before they open.
To keep this virus at bay, spray the harvest with Dithane M-45 @ 0.2 percent on a regular basis.
Conclusion
When it comes to marigold care, less is more. All summer long, if you follow a few basic care guidelines, your marigolds will be happy and healthy:
- Allow the soil to dry between waterings before thoroughly watering.
- Water marigolds at the plant’s base.
- By not fertilising the soil after sowing seeds, you can avoid a lot of foliage and fewer blossoms.
- It is not essential to deadhead. If you opt to deadhead your marigold flowers, however, your plants will continue to produce all summer.
- Put down a layer of mulch between marigold plants to keep weeds at bay.FAQs