TECHNICAL KNOW HOW FOR MARIGOLD (GENDA ) CULTIVATION

AGROCLIMATIC REQUIREMENT

Plenty of light, humid and moderate temperature ranging from 15 degree Celsius to 28 degree Celsius may be considered as ideal conditions for marigold in the tropical and subtropical climate of India.

Improved varities

Local types (orange & yellow), Pusa Narangi Gainda, Pusa Basanthi Gainda (IARI varieties) 

SOIL

Well drained loamy soil is found suitable. The soil pH should be 7.0 to 7.5. Saline and acidic soils are not suitable for cultivation.'

Seeds and sowing

The seeds are sown throughout the year. Nursery is raised with 1.5 kg seeds/ha and the seedlings are transplanted after four weeks on one side of the ridge at 45 x 35 cm spacing. Treat the seeds with Azospirillum (200 g in 50 ml of rice gruel) before sowing.

Irrigation

Irrigation is done once in a week or as and when necessary. Water stagnation should be avoided.

Manuring

During last ploughing, incorporate 25t/ha of FYM.

 Apply 45:90:75 kg NPK/ha as basal.

 45 kg N/ha as top dressing 45 days after planting

After cultivation

Weeding should be done as and when necessary. Irrigation should be given immediately after planting and life irrigation on third day after planting. Water stagnation should be avoided. Based on the soil moisture condition, irrigation should be done

Nipping/tipping

Thirty days after planting terminal portion should be tipped / removed to encourage the branching.

Plant protection

Spider
It can be controlled by spraying Kelthane 1 ml/lit of water

Leaf spot
Leaf spot can be controlled by spraying Bavistin 1 g / lit of water

Root rot
Drench 1 g/lit of Bavisitin to control root rot

Crop duration

The crop duration is about 130 - 150 days

Harvest

Flowers are picked once in 3 days beginning from 60 days after planting.

Yield

The average yield is about 18 t/ha.

Biofertilizers: 

Soil application of 2 kg each of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria per ha at the time of planting. Biofertilizers are to be mixed with 100kg of FYM and applied.

Micronutrients:

 Foliar spray of FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 0.5% on 30th and 45th day after transplanting.

Biostimulants:

 SprayHumic acid @ 0.2% on 30 & 45 days after transplanting.

Plant protection
Pests:

Cut worms and Helicoverpa armigera

Spray spinosad 45 SC @ 0.75ml/litre. Spinosad 45 SC is quickly biodegradable and is accepted by the importers

Mealy bug: Spray Prophenophos @ 2ml/l Fish oil rosin soap @ 25 g/l

Bud borer: Spray Spinosad @ 0.75 ml / l

Leaf miner / thrips: Spray Fipronil @ 1.5ml/l

Red spider Mite: Spray Abamectin 1.9 EC @ 0.5 ml/l or Fenazaquin @ 2 ml/l or Exodus (natural lactones) @ 2 ml/l

Diseases:
Leaf spot : Foliar application of Hexaconazole @1ml/litreor Mancozeb @ 2g/litre
Yield:

yield

Flowers : 30 - 35 t/ha.
Xanthophyll     : 1.7 - 1.9 g/kg of fresh flowers.

source: http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/horti_flower%20crops_marigold.html