It is a commonly grown flower of India. It is very important flower, as it extensively used on religious and social function. Also it is used as trap crop. As it is short duration crop with low investment, it becomes popular crop of India. Marigold flowers are attractive in shape and color. It is widely adopted because of ease of cultivation. On basis of size and color, it has two main varieties, African Marigold and French marigold. Plants of French marigold variety are short while flowers are small in size compared to African marigold. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, AP, Tamil Nadu and MP are major marigold cultivator in India. Dussehra and Diwali are two festivals when demand for this crop is highest.

In Maharashtra, Ahmednagar, Pune, Nashik, Satara, Parbhani, Solapur, Nanded, Akola, Nagpur and Aurangabad are major marigold growing areas.

It can grow on wide range of soil. But it grows best on well drained fertile soil. Soil should be well drained as it cannot withstand in water logged soil. pH of soil should be in range of 6.5 to 7.5. Acidic and saline soils are not suitable for cultivation. French marigold is growing best in light soil whereas soil with rich manure is best for African marigold. 

African Marigold: Crop of these varieties are tall up to 90cm. Flower are of big size and having color like lemon, yellow, golden yellow, orange or bright yellow color. This is long duration variety. It includes variety like, Giant Double African Orange, Crown of Gold, Giant Double African Yellow, Chrysanthemum Charm, Golden Age, Cracker Jack etc.

French Marigold: These are early maturing dwarf varieties. Its flowers are small size having colors ranges from yellow, orange, golden yellow, rusty red, mahogany etc. It includes varieties like Rusty Red, Butter Scotch, Red Borcade, Star of India, Lemon drop etc.

Other state varieties:

Pusa Basanti Gainda: It is a long duration variety. Plant height is about 58.80cm tall with dark green leaves. Flowers are of sulphur yellow colored, double and carnation type. 

Pusa Narangi Gainda: It required 125-136days for flowering. Their plants are tall with height of 73.30cm and leaves are of dark green color. Flowers are of orange colored and carnation type. Flowers are compact and double layered. Gives average yield of 140qtl/acre of fresh flower.

Pusa Arpita: Open pollinated variety having dense foliage. It is suitable for growing in summer season.

Serakal : Uniform size bush with uniform size flowers. 

Tiger, Jaffri, Laddu gainda.

Plough land and bring field to fine tilth. To increased fertility of soil, at time of last ploughing add 250qtl of Farm Yard Manure or well decomposed cow dung in soil.  

Time of sowing

September is optimum time for winter cultivation.

For summer season, complete cultivation in February month.

First week of July is suitable for kharif sowing.

Spacing

In general, for sowing use spacing of 60cmx30cm. Spacing varies with variety use, soil type and climate.

Spacing of 60 X 60cm, 60 X 40cm, 90x40cm and 30x30cm is adopted under normal conditions.

Sowing Depth

In nursery sow seeds at depth of 1cm.

Method of sowing

For sowing, use transplantation method.

Seed Rate

For sowing one acre land, seed rate of 400 to 600gm is required. 

If spacing of 60cmx30cm is adopted, in one acre near about 16,000 plants are accommodates.

Seed Treatment

To protect crop from damping off, treat seed with Captan@2gm per kg of seeds or treat seeds with Azospirillum@200gm mixed it in 50ml of rice gruel before sowing.

Sow seeds on nursery bed i.e. raised beds. Plant seeds with row to row distance of 4-5cm. Seedling are ready for transplantation three to four week after seed sowing. 

Marigold is propagated by seed or by cutting. Seed propagation is preferred over cutting method as plant gives higher yield also plants are healthy.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Overall marigold crop required, Nitrogen@40kg, Phosphorus@30kg and Potash@30kg/acre. Apply it, in form of Urea@90kg, SSP@190kg and MoP@50kg/acre. 

Apply half of Nitrogen and full quantity of Phosphorus and Potash, seven days after transplantation. And remaining quantity of Nitrogen 30 to 40days after transplantation.

Apply irrigation, depending upon soil and climate. In summer season, apply water with interval of 7-8days where as in winter season, provide water with interval of 10-12days.

Avoid water stagnation in field. In rainy season, apply water depending upon rainfall intensity and frequency.

• Pests and their control:

Mealy Bug: These are observed on leaves, stem and on young shoots. They secrete honey dew like substance and because of it, sooty mould developed on leaves and give black appearance.

If infestation is observed, take spray of Dimethoate@2 ml/litre of water.

Thrips: Discolouration of plant tissue is observed. Discoloration, rolling and defoliation of leaves is observed due to thrips infestation.

To know intensity of thrips, set up yellow sticky trap@20 for one acre. If infestation is seen, take spray of Fipronil@1.5 ml/litre of water or Azardiractin@3 ml/litre of water.

• Diseases and their control:

Powdery Mildew: Patchy, White powdery growth appears on lower side of leaves. It parasitizes the plant using it as a food source. It commonly occurs on older leaves but it can be developed at any stage of crop development. In severe infestation it causes defoliation.

Avoid water logging in field. Keep field clean. If infestation is observed in field take Spray of water soluble Sulphur@ 20 gm/10Ltr of water 2 times with interval of 10 days.

Damping off: Moist and poorly drained soil causes damping off disease. It is a soil borne disease. Water soaking and shriveling of stem occurs. If it appears in nursery, the entire lot of seedling may get destroyed.

To control, Drench nearby soil with Copper oxychloride@25 gm or Carbendazim@20 gm/10 Ltr of water.

Depending upon variety use, marigold will be ready to harvest in 2 to 2.5months. French Marigold ready for harvesting in 1.5 month where as two months required for African Marigold. Plucked marigold plants when they attain full size. Harvesting should be done either in morning or evening hour. Field should be irrigated before plucking of flower; it will help to maintain quality for longer period.     

Use bamboo basket or gunny bags for packing of flowers. Then transport them to local or distant market.