Evaluation of several cultivars (Tagetes sp.) as a proper source for bioactive products

The aim of this study was to identify the marigold varieties with the higher yield capacity, quality and economical results in order to use them for phytopharmaceutical and ecological protection purposes. In order to comply this goals the experiment used eight cultivars of African and French marigold organized in a collection field – six cultivars of Tagetes patula and two cultivars of T. erecta. During the testing period we registered the flowering period, the color, the diameter and the weight of inflorescences, the yield, the rated capacity of dried material and the percent of carotenoids for the fresh and dried material. The necessary work was also evaluated to harvest the inflorescences because we use handwork for that. ANOVA was computed for yield differences. From all varieties tested, we can strongly recommend the „Focul“ cultivar, wich was created in 2006at the Research and Development Station for Vegetables in Bacau, Romania. The color of the inflorescences at that cultivar are bright orange, the average diameter is 6cm and the weight of 100 inflorescences is 79g. The „Focul“ cultivar presents a very good yield –5240kg/ha of dried inflorescences and is rich in carotenoids –240.25mg carotenoids/100g dried material. When the comparison was made with „Flacãra“, a cultivar of Tagetes patula, considered as control,„Focul“ cultivar presented higher significance of difference regarding yielding capacity.

Acknowledgements: Authors would like to thank for financial support to the Ministry of Education and Research of Romania, represented by the National Center of Programme Management.