The Effect of Growing Media on the Growth and Yield of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Tri Luchi Proklamita; Laurensius Lehar

doi:10.55927/eajmr.v5i5.118

Authors

Tri Luchi Proklamita State Agricultural Polytechnic of Kupang
Laurensius Lehar State Agricultural Polytechnic of Kupang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i5.118

Keywords:

organic substrates, compost, ornamental horticulture, soil quality, Tagetes erecta

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of different organic growing media on soil properties, vegetative growth, and reproductive performance of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). The experiment was conducted from February to May 2024 in Kupang City, Indonesia, using a randomized complete block design with nine growing media treatments and three replications. The results showed that the soil–cow dung compost mixture significantly improved marigold growth and yield compared with most other treatments. Plants grown in this medium exhibited the greatest plant height (81.54 cm at 5 weeks after planting), stem diameter (1.20 mm), number of flowers (14.44 plant⁻¹), flower diameter (71.85 mm), and flower fresh weight (21.89 g). Overall, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of compost-based growing media in improving soil quality and biomass allocation, providing practical insights for sustainable marigold production in tropical dryland environments.

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