Ornamental value of Calendulaofficinalis“Yellow Gitana” as a result of nitrogen-fertilizerand plant density

ABSTRACT:In order to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen and plant densityon morphological characteristics and flower longevity of calendula (Calendulaofficinaliscv.YellowGitana),an experimentwas conducted at research field of Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran in 2009. The experiment was carried out as a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nitrogen level was the main factor with four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kgha-1) and plant density was the sub-factor with three levels (50, 33, 25 plantm-2). Results showed that plant width, stem diameter, flower diameter, number of flowering stemplant-1and flower longevity increased with increasing nitrogen levels and decreasing plant density. Application of 150 kgha-1 nitrogen and 25 plantm-2 produced maximum plant width, stem diameter, flower diameter, number of flowering stemplant-1 and flower longevity with 28.6 cm, 5.7 mm, 46 mm, 36 and 93.5 h, respectively, and this treatment could be recommended to achieve the best morphological characteristics and flower longevity in calendula as a bedding ornamental plant under temperate climatic conditions of Khorramabad, Iran.