EFFECT OF NPK FERTILIZER AND SOME NATURAL EXTRACT TREATMENTS ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSTION OF AFRICAN MARIGOLD (TAGETES ERECTA L. VAR. DWARF CHRYSANTHEMUM)

Abstract

Horticultural Research Institute, Giza, Egypt, during the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the influence of NPK fertilization and some natural extracts on the chemical composition of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L. var. dwarf chrysanthemum), using seaweed, Moringa oleifera leaf and dry yeast extracts as a foliar spray at the rate of 0, 1 and 2 g/l three times separately or in combination with NPK fertilizer at two levels (zero and 2 g/pot). Results showed that all natural extract treatments recorded significant increase in all chemical constituents studied. The most significant enhancement in this regard was obtained from providing plants with NPK at 2 g/pot combined with seaweed extract at 2 g/l followed by adding it as a sole application and preceded by moringa leaves extract at 2 g/l as an interaction treatment with NPK at 2 g/pot in elevating -carotene pigment content in dry flowers. Meanwhile, the significantly highest records in total phenols percentages was obtained from applying the combination treatment of NPK at 2 g/pot with moringa leaves extract at 2 g/l followed by the individual application of such extract.