Effects of Preharvest Exogenous Spray Applications of Calcium Nitrate on the Juvenile Bloom Period and Postharvest Vase Life in Tagetes erecta

Le résumé fourni par la source

Marigolds (Tagetes erecta ) are culturally significant flowers throughout the world with limited production and use in the United States. Few studies have examined the effects of preharvest foliar sprays on juvenile timing and postharvest longevity in marigolds. To address this, two greenhouse studies were performed using exogenous spray applications of 2% calcium nitrate [Ca(NO 3 ) 2 ] to determine the effects on juvenile bloom period and postharvest vase life in two marigold cultivars, White Swan and Coco Gold. Marigold blooms were separated into four developmental stages, (stages 1–4) and sprayed with 20 mL 2% Ca(NO 3 ) 2 solution per bloom. Preharvest foliar application of Ca(NO 3 ) 2 was found to reduce the juvenile period in both cultivars. Notably, applying Ca(NO 3 ) 2 at stage 1 shortened the juvenile period by 6.9 days in ‘White Swan’ and by 7.2 days in ‘Coco Gold’. No significance was found regarding vase life in either cultivar, although some positive trends were observed in ‘White Swan’. These results show that preharvest foliar supplementation of Ca(NO 3 ) 2 is effective at reducing the juvenile period and may be beneficial for extending vase life in some marigolds. However, cultivar-related responses may influence these results.

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