Mineral elements and phytochemical analysis of Calendula officinalis L. affected foliar application of Bio-stimulators

Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) is an important ornamental and medicinal plant. This experiment has been conducted on the base of randomized complete blocks design with three replications in 2011. The treatments included bio-stimulators with commercial formulations of Aminolforte, Kadostim, Fosnutren, Humiforte (each of them 0.75 and 1.5 L.ha^-1), composition of chemical fertilizer NPK (16 – 4-8), and control treatment (without foliar application). The results showed that the treatments had significant (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) effect on the studied parameters. The maximum amount of capitula dry weight (46 g.m^-2), leaves dry weight (25.2 g.m^-2), total dry weight (161.2 g.m^-2), tolal carbohydrates of capitula (2.282 mg.g^-1 DW) were observed with Humiforte 1.5 L.ha^-1. The highest amount of total carbohydrates in leaves (0.244 mg.g^-1 DW) was observed with Kadostim 1.5 L.ha^-1. The most content of total flavonoids in leaves (0.1%) and capitula (0.25%) was obtained in Humiforte 1.5 L.ha^-1 and Aminolforte 1.5 L.ha^-1, respectively. Content of macroelements (N, P, K) and microelements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Ca) increased with foliar application of bioactive amino acid compounds. In general, Humiforte and Kadostim 1.5 L.ha^-1 were the best treatments in respect of morphological traits and Fosnutren, Aminolforte and Kadostim 1.5 L.ha^-1 for phytochemical characters which can be due to existence of amino acid compounds and macro-nutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium in their formulations.

Key words: Calendula officinalis L., bioactive amino acid compounds, Morphological and Phytochemical characters

References:

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