Marigold (Banti)
Marigold (Tagetes erecta - African; T. patula - French) is a major commercial loose-flower crop in Telangana, AP, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal and UP. ICAR-IARI has released Pusa Narangi Gainda and Pusa Basanthi Gainda; ICAR-IIHR's Arka Shubha is preferred for industrial carotenoid extraction.
Key characteristics
- Species: Tagetes erecta (African), Tagetes patula (French)
- ICAR Varieties: Pusa Narangi Gainda, Pusa Basanthi Gainda (IARI); Arka Shubha (IIHR)
- Spacing: 60x45 cm African; 45x30 cm French
- Soil PH: 6.0-7.5, well-drained
Cultivation and adoption
The crop thrives on well-drained soils at pH 6.0-7.5 with row spacing of 60 x 45 cm for African and 45 x 30 cm for French marigold.
Related entries
See also: Chrysanthemum Crop, Jassids Sucking Pests Floriculture, Fusarium Wilt Chrysanthemum, Jasmine Jaji Virajaji, Jasmine Mallepoolu Sambac, Spodoptera Marigold Flower Borer.
References
- Crop African Marigold - ICAR-CCARI. https://ccari.icar.gov.in/dss/marigold.html
- Marigold breeding in India - review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12511081/