Effect of Different Soil Media and Some Growth Regulators on French Marigold Plants A. Vegetative, Root Growth and Pigments

Abstract

During the two experimental seasons of 2016 and 2017, a pot experiment was carried out in the Nursery of Ornamental Plants, Fac. Agric., Minia Univ. to investigate the influence of soil media and specific growth regulators on the vegetative and root growth characteristics and pigments of Tagetes patula L. plants. Results indicated that all examined traits of vegetative development (plant height, branches number, stem diameter, areal parts fresh and dry weights), root length, root fresh and dry weights and pigments content were increased with plants grown in clay/sand comparing with clay or sandy media alone during both seasons. All used concentrations of growth regulators significantly decreased plant height and fresh and dry weights with high concentrations only during both seasons. On contrast, other abovementioned criteria were significantly increased with all used concentration of growth regulators in both seasons. 4-CPA at 300 ppm was more effective in this concern. The results proved that cultivating Tagetes patula, in clay/sandy media and spraying with 4-CPA at 300 ppm recorded the best compact potted plant.