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The current research was conducted to explore, for the first time, Tagetes erecta L. (family Asteraceae) fruits from northwest Iran in terms of the chemical composition of essential and fixed oils, their cytotoxic activities, and the inhibitory effect of essential oil on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The volatile oil was obtained through hydrodistillation (Clevenger apparatus). According to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, the essential oil was rich in cyclic monoterpenoids, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-3-cyclohexen-1-one (19.99%), d-limonene (12.75%), terpinolene (11.64%) and also the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (19.09%). Furthermore, the seeds of T. erecta were extracted using hexane by the maceration method. The analysis of fatty acid profile of the fixed oil by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) demonstrated that the most predominant fatty acids in fixed oil were linoleic acid (59.53%), palmitic acid (13.70%), stearic acid (10.20%), and oleic acid (9.20%). The cytotoxic activity of essential oil, crude oil, and fraction A (obtained from fixed oil) were evaluated by using the MTT assay on MCF7 (human breast cancer cell line), PC3 (human prostate cancer cell line), and U87MG (human glioblastoma cell line). Finally, the effect of essential oil on inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was evaluated using real-time PCR. The essential oil exhibited vigorous cytotoxic activity on the U87MG cell line, with an IC50 value of 32.65 μg/mL. Interestingly, the essential oil significantly inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascade compared to the non-treated group. Our results suggest that the essential oil holds promise as an anticancer agent for glioblastoma cell lines. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on the profile of the essential oil of T. erecta fruits and its implications for targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botanicals from Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Basil, Rosemary and other medicinal plants have been analysed as potential replacements of chemical pesticides as they are effective and non-hazardous to the environment. The bioactive components thiophene is present in large amount in Tagetes sp. which have a wide range of biocidal properties. In this study the crude extracts of different parts of Tagetes erecta and Tagetes patula were obtained by Soxhlet extraction method. The leaf extracts were subjected to GC–MS to identify their components and to confirm the presence of thiophenes. Two major disastrous crop pests namely, Spodoptera litura and Corcyra cephalonica belongs to Order Lepidoptera, Family Noctuidae and Pyralidae were used for the experimental study. The effect of bioactive extract was tested by direct and indirect methods for their larvicidal effect. The S. litura larvae was allowed to feed on castor leaves coated with spraying different concentrations of methanolic sample extracts as indirect method. In the direct spraying method, the S. litura and C. cephalonica larvae were sprayed with low and high concentrations of crude sample extracts of both T. patula and T. erecta. Significant decrease in larval activity and survival rate within 24 h to 48 h were recorded for both the methods. The trials were performed using variousvolumes from 10 to 1000 µl to check larvicidal activity. The roots and stem extracts of T. erecta for 25 µl kill 100% larvae within 24 h whereas 50 µl of T. patula flowers, roots and stem extract effectively kill only 50% of the larvae in 48 h. A mini nursery evaluation were conducted by direct spraying method on larvae growing on jowar saplings, which displayed 100% mortality of larvae within 24 h for 25 µl of T. erecta leaf and flower extracts and T. patula flower extract. From these trials, it can be inferred that the extracts of T. patula and T. erecta provided effective outcomes as larvicides of S. litura and C. cephalonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of ornamental horticultural crops under salinity stress has been a challenge for growers all over the world. In this study, an attempt was made for pot cultivation of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L. var. Pusa Basanti Gainda) in salt-stressed (SS) soil (150 mM) with the combined use of mushroom compost leachate (CL) and foliar application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs). For this purpose, a total of six pot treatments, i.e., borewell water (BW; control), T1 (BW with SS), T2 (BW with SS and TiO2-NPs), T3 (CL supplemented), T4 (CL with SS), and T5 (CL with SS and TiO2-NPs) were conducted in triplicate. The results of this study showed that CL supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) improved the physicochemical i.e., pH (14.5%), electrical conductivity (32.9%), total nitrogen (27.4%), total phosphorus (247.6%)), and nutrient (organic matter: 119.6%) profiles of soil which later helped in higher growth (30–35%) and yield (5.4–40.7%) of T. erecta. In CL-based treatments, the biochemical constituents were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in BW-irrigated ones. Also, the levels of selected stress defense enzymes were significantly increased under SS treatment but reduced under TiO2-NP application. Overall, it was observed that the combined application of CL and TiO2-NPs (T5 treatment) was the most helpful treatment for enhanced germination, growth, yield, biochemical parameters, and better plant enzymatic activities to cope with saline stress. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of T. erecta plants under saline stress which is crucial for the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving plant tolerance to saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, the Cu phytoremediation ability of two ornamental plants, Chrysanthemum indicum L. and Tagetes erecta L., was tracked concerning the growth and physiological responses. Plants were subjected to varying concentrations of Cu (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) under the pot experiment for 8 weeks. The results showed that the measured growth and physiological characteristics declined in T. erecta shoots and roots at all tested treatments compared with the control. However, in C. indicum at 100 mg/kg, shoot biomass, shoot total soluble protein, and leaves number remained equal to that of the control and then reduced by rising Cu concentrations, compared with the control. Also, results indicated that in C. indicum, after 56 days of exposure to Cu, the chlorophyll pigments content markedly increased and reached a maximum level at 100 mg/kg dose and gradually declined with enhancing Cu concentrations, compared with the control. Other measured growth and physiological parameters decreased in both tissues of C. indicum in response to Cu usage in the growth medium. The carotenoid content of T. erecta decreased in all studied Cu levels in comparison to the control, but in C. indicum remained unaffected up to 200 mg/kg Cu in comparison to the control and then enhanced with increasing Cu level. The augmentation of antioxidant enzyme activity in two species, especially in roots, reflected the incident of Cu stress as demonstrated by elevated MDA and ion leakage levels. Data concerning copper accumulation in tissues, TF, and BAF showed T. erecta is a weak Cu accumulator and seems not to be an appropriate candidate for Cu phytoremediation. However, the Cu content in shoots and roots of C. indicum increased significantly with an increment in applied Cu level. Also, C. indicum accumulated higher Cu concentrations in the roots than in shoots and exhibited TF < 1, 0.1 < BAF root < 1, and can be considered as a Cu excluder by the phytostabilization mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We analysed the possible synergistic activity among active extracts from Artemisia cina and Tagetes lucida combinations on Haemonchus contortus, a nematode parasitising sheep. Methods: The work was carried out in vitro on eggs and infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus. The results were analysed with SAS 9.1, applying the ANOVA and Tukey test, and the lethal concentration (LC) values LC50 and LC90 were determined with regression analysis, employing Proc Probit of SAS 9.1. Additionally, the lethal concentration (LC) was calculated with LC50 and LC90 to determine the synergistic effect. Results: The results demonstrated a high efficacy of the two plants studied on both nematode eggs and L3 larvae as well as of their combinations. The highest egg hatching inhibition was obtained with a 50/50 combination, and the best larvae mortality was obtained with 25% A. cina and 75% T. lucida at 10 mg/mL. Additionally, this combination showed a synergistic effect. Conclusion: The two plant species studied here can be applied as natural anthelmintic alternatives due to their high bioactive effect and synergistic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) is an aromatic plant known for its repellent effects on pests. It is traditionally grown in fields near many vegetable crops, including potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). However, the effects of marigold essential oil (EO) on the physiology of neighboring crops have been neglected in research. The aim of this study was to establish, for the first time, a comprehensive phytohormone profile of potato plants exposed to French marigold EO for different time periods (4, 8 and 12 h). Endogenous levels of all major phytohormone groups, determined by HPLC–MS analysis, showed altered phytohormone responses of EO-exposed potato plants. The most affected were stress-related phytohormones: abscisic acid–glucose ester, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, and jasmonic acid. Increased levels of jasmonic acid, cytokinins, storage form of abscisic acid together with decreased levels of indole-3-acetic acid and ethylene precursor were observed. In most of the analyzed phytohormone groups similar response pattern was observed—an increase in levels after short time exposure (4 h), followed by a decrease to control values after prolonged exposure (8 h and 12 h). Expression levels of genes involved in biosynthesis and catabolism of stress-related phytohormones, obtained by de novo bioinformatic processing of data from cDNA microarray analysis, revealed that jasmonic acid biosynthetic pathway was the most affected, with the highest number of altered transcripts and with one of the genes from this pathway (12-oxophytodienoate reductase 1-like) exhibiting the highest expression rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drastic boom in floriculture and social events in religious and recreational places has inevitably led to generation of tremendous floral waste across the globe. Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is one of the most common loose flowers offered for the same. Generally discarded, these Tagetes floral wastes could be valorized for biogenic syntheses. In this study, we have utilized the floral extract towards green synthesis of nano ZnO, the formation of which was affirmed from different analytical techniques. Bionanocomposite Schiff-base hydrogel composed of chitosan and dialdehyde pectin was fabricated by the facile strategy of in situ polymer cross-linking, and the ZnO nanoparticles were embedded in the hydrogel matrix. The hydrogel exhibited remarkable self-healing ability. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were enhanced owing to nano ZnO. Furthermore, it was hemocompatible and biodegradable. A controlled release drug profile for 5-fluorouracil from the hydrogel was accomplished in the colorectum. The exposure of the drug-loaded nanocomposite hydrogel demonstrated improved anticancer effects in HT-29 colon cancer cells. The findings of this study altogether put forth the successful biovalorization of Tagetes floral waste extract for colon cancer remedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and drought stress are the biggest challenges of agriculture. New research has shown that the alternative use of amino acids reduces the harmful effects of using chemical fertilizers. Hence, the effect of elicitors was studied on the physiological traits of marigolds in a two-factor factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was the foliar application of elicitors (arginine, glutamine, and estradiol) at 8 levels and the second factor was irrigation at three levels (1 day, 3 days, and 6 days). The trial traits were total soluble solids (TSS), electrolyte leakage, relative water content, chlorophyll content, and flower and leaf characteristics. The analysis of variance showed that the interaction of the foliar application and water deficit stress was significant for leaf and flower °Brix index, leaf area, and chlorophyll b at the P < 0.01 and for total chlorophyll and shoot fresh weight at the P < 0.05. The highest leaf total soluble solids (°Brix) were obtained from glutamine × 6-day irrigation interval, the highest flower °Brix from glutamine + estradiol × 1-day irrigation interval, the highest leaf area from glutamine + estradiol × 3-day irrigation interval. Glutamine + estradiol × 1-day irrigation interval caused to the highest chlorophyll b content, while the highest total chlorophyll content obtained from the control, and the highest shoot fresh weight from arginine + glutamine × 6-day irrigation interval. Finally, it was revealed that glutamine outperformed arginine and estradiol in improving the studied traits. In water stress conditions, some traits like total soluble solids increased, but leaf area decreased. In general, the application of amino acids was effective in improving the growth traits of marigolds. Glutamine is superior to arginine and estradiol in improving the studied traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the ongoing scarcity of copper resources globally, the extraction of copper from waste rocks has become an unavoidable necessity. This study investigated the phytoextraction of copper from low-grade chalcocite (LGC) ore using Tagetes sp. Therefore, the LGC and the garden soil mixtures, with different percentages, were utilized to achieve the optimum condition in 4 weeks. Mixing 50% LGC with 50% soil results in the best uptake value and translocation factor (TF) of 0.42 mg and 1.02, with shoot and root weights of 3.78 and 1.02 g, respectively. However, the highest BCFShoot (bio-concentration factor) and BCFRoot values are 0.65 and 1.66, with shoot and root weights of 2.65 g and 0.5 g, respectively, using 25% LGC + 75% soil. Therefore, at the proportion of 25% of the LGC, it can be concluded that the plant is a moderate accumulator and hyperaccumulator, respectively, for the shoot and root. Both proportions of 25% of the LGC and 50% of the LGC can be selected as optimum conditions for the mixture. If the target is the highest Cu accumulation in the above-ground tissues, the mixture containing 50% LGC should be selected. However, if harvesting the plant roots is possible, the mixture of 25% LGC + 75% soil has a better result because of the highest Cu concentration in the roots. Hence, Tagetes sp. exhibits the capability for extracting copper from low-grade chalcocite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato 'tropical lineage' (Acari: Ixodidae) is considered a sanitary concern due to its role as a disease vector. Tick strains resistant to synthetic acaricides have caused difficulties in their control, besides synthetic acaricides are harmful to the environment and to the health of non-target animals. The research of plants with acaricidal and repellent properties has proved to be an efficient alternative in tick control. The genus Tagetes spp. excels for its use as traditional pest control in households and plantations and also for its potential as an acaricide against R. sanguineus under laboratory conditions. The first aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of Tagetes minuta essential oil (TMEO) on the central nervous system (synganglion) in unfed R. sanguineus adults. The histological analysis of synganglion exposed to the different concentrations of TMEO and amitraz 12.5% (50% of the recommended dose in the package insert) showed a significant effect with signs of cell damage including volume increase, loss of shape, and vacuolization, in addition to chromatin alterations such as condensation, margination, and fragmentation. TMEO were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry showing the presence of 21 compounds that according to their chemical structure are classified as terpenoids. Among them (Z)-β-ocimene, ocimene, (Z)-tagetone, and verbenone were found in major quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of finding natural solutions for the protection of our health in the fight against pests in agriculture is increasing day by day. In this study, the interaction of the active ingredients in marigolds as the great importance as a garden flower, with nematode and whitefly receptors as ligands in the fight against them, have been investigated by chemical calculation method. The inhibition effect of ligands (alpha-Terthienyl, Quercetagetin in marigold) on nematode and whitefly receptors in this plant was determined by comparing the binding energy values with reference drug active ingredients (imidacloprid, Perhexiline).This calculation method, the accuracy determined by different studies, is very important in terms of determining the most active substance in a short time, preventing time and substance loss, and will guide the experimental studies and applications to be made in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals in soil pose a serious threat through their toxic effect on the human food chain. Phytoremediation is a clean and green potentially cost-effective technology in remediating the heavy metal-contaminated soil. However, the efficiency of phytoextraction is very often limited by low phytoavailability of heavy metals in soil, slow growth, and small biomass production of hyper-accumulator plants. To solve these issues, accumulator plant(s) with high biomass production and amendment(s) which can solubilize metals in soil is required for better phytoextraction. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the efficiency of phytoextraction of sunflower, marigold, and spinach as affected by the incorporation of Sesbania (solubilizer) and addition of gypsum (solubilizer) in nickel (Ni)-, lead (Pb)-, and chromium (Cr)-contaminated soil. A fractionation study was conducted to study the bioavailability of the heavy metals in contaminated soil after growing the accumulator plants and as affected by using soil amendments (Sesbania and gypsum). Results showed that marigold was the most efficient among the three accumulator plants in phytoextraction of the heavy metals in the contaminated soil. Both sunflower and marigold were able to reduce the bioavailability of the heavy metals in the post-harvest soil, which was reflected in their (heavy metals) lower concentration in subsequently grown paddy crop (straw). The fractionation study revealed that carbonate and organically bound fractions of the heavy metals control the bioavailability of the heavy metals in the experimental soil. Both Sesbania and gypsum were not effective in solubilizing the heavy metals in the experimental soil. Therefore, the possibility of using Sesbania and gypsum for solubilizing heavy metals in contaminated soil is ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REEs) are considered environmental pollutants that have received extensive attention recently. The accumulation of REEs in plants is important because REEs can eventually enter the human body via the food chain. Marigolds are widely utilized as medicinal and commercial plants in medicine, feed, and therapeutics. Due to the extremely high demand for marigold in global, it is urgent to investigate the accumulation and distribution of REEs in marigold plants to reduce human and animal health risks. Marigold leaves tended to bioaccumulate the highest amounts of REEs from soil compared with other tissues. The distribution patterns of REEs in marigold were similar to those in the rhizosphere soil, which was enriched in light rare earth elements. Cerium accumulated most in marigold and soil, accounting for nearly 50% of ΣREEs, followed by lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium. Roots were the most susceptible tissue affected by soil REE concentration, and a significant positive correlation was observed for REEs in the roots of marigold and soils (R = 0.87), while no significant correlation was observed for REEs in soils and other tissues. REEs were poorly transferred from soil to marigold, with bioaccumulation factor values for all tissues of marigold less than one. Additionally, REEs exhibited a positive correlation with Al and Fe in the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of marigold. The present research revealed the biological interactions between marigold and soil and the distribution of REEs in various parts of marigold. It provides a reference for large-scale commercial cultivation and potential environmental risk in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of land and aquatic ecosystems with heavy metals (HMs) is a global issue having the persistent potential to damage the quality of food and water. In the present study, Tagetes erecta L. plants were used to assess their potential to uptake HMs from wastewater. Plants were grown in soil for 20 days and then transplanted in hydroponic system containing Hoagland nutrient solution. After more than 15 days of growth, plants were then subjected to wastewater from tannery and surgical industries in different concentrations ranging from 25 to 100% in combination of citric acid (5 and 10 mM). After 6 weeks of treatment, plants were collected and segmented into roots, stem, and leaves for characterizing the morphological properties including plant height, roots length, fresh and dry mass of roots, stem, and leaves. For evaluation of the effect of wastewater on the plants, photosynthetic pigments; soluble proteins; reactive oxygen species (ROS); antioxidant enzymes SOD, POD, CAT, and APX; and metal accumulation were analyzed. Application of industrial wastewater revealed a significant effect on plant morphology under wastewater treatments. Overall growth and physiological attributes of plant decreased, and metal accumulation enhanced with increasing concentration of wastewater. Similarly, the production of ROS and antioxidant enzymes were also increased. Chlorophyll, protein content, and enzyme production enhanced with CA (5 and 10 mM) mediation; however, ROS production and EL were reduced. Metals analysis showed that the maximum accumulation of Pb was in roots, while Cr and Ni in the stem which further increased under CA mediation. Overall, the metal accumulation ability was in the order of Pb > Ni > Cr under CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of irrigation intervals was studied on physiological, morphological, and antioxidant traits of two marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) cultivars in Karaj, Iran, in a split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments included irrigation at three levels of I1 (irrigation interval of 3 days), I2 (irrigation interval of 5 days), and I3 (irrigation interval of 7 days) as the main plot and cultivar at two levels of V1 (cv. 'sparse petal') and V2 (cv. 'compact petal') as the sub-plot. The results based on the comparison of the means showed that the increase in irrigation interval from 3 to 7 days decreased the leaf area index, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate by 73.53, 85.76, 93.47, and 94.81%, respectively. It also decreased the flower yield, plant height, flower number, and leaf number by 71.92, 41.84, 99.31, and 58.67%, respectively. The interaction between irrigation and cultivar revealed that I3V1 had the highest total phenol content (3013.59 g gallic acid 100 g−1 tissue) and antioxidant capacity (60.8%). It can be inferred that the treatment of I1 and cv. 'compact petal' give the best results for flower yield and physiological and morphological traits, and the treatment of I3 and both cultivars provide the best results for antioxidant traits in the climatic conditions of the Karaj region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing acreage of cash crops, the use of their by-products as supplements for livestock feed becomes an important factor. Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) account for more than half of the world's loose flower production. However, there is no precedent for the abundantly available marigold crop residue (MCR) being used as feed in agricultural production, probably because of its strong pungent taste. This study aimed to evaluate the biotransformation of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of MCR by mixed ensilage and assess its palatability by cattle. Caryophyllene, the most prevalent VOC in MCR, decreased by 29.11% (P < 0.05), 38.85% (P < 0.05), 37.15% (P < 0.05), and 28.36% (P < 0.05) ensilage with corn meal (CM), bran (BR), crop corn (CC), and straw (ST), respectively. The acetic acid content increased by 686.05% (P < 0.05), 1337.21% (P < 0.05), 1244.19% (P < 0.05), and 1795.34% (P < 0.05) after mixed ensilage with CM, BR, CC, and ST, respectively. The total amount of alcoholic VOCs followed an overall increasing trend during mixed storage and 10 new alcohols were obtained. Over seven days, feed intake of mixed ensilage MCR by cattle differed significantly (P < 0.05) among treatments compared with MCR and was highest in MCRCM. Combined with palatability trials, the best MCR feed intake was achieved with MCRCM. The findings shed light on how feed odor can be improved and how degradation of terpenes can be enhanced in practical applications by mixed ensilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spreading marigold (Tagetes patula L.) is a valuable source of biologically active compounds, including flavonoids. The aim of the present work was to study the diuretic activity of a dense extract from spreading marigold flowers and the dominant flavonoids of this type of raw material, i.e., patulitrin and patuletin. The two flavonoids patuletin (3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxy-6-methoxyflavone) and patulitrin (3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxy-6-methoxyflavone 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) were isolated using column chromatography over silica gel L 40/100 and were identified by UV, PMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Diuresis significantly increased in animals of the experimental group relative to the water control indicators (like the effect of the reference drug furosemide at a threshold dose of 1 mg/kg) with a single intragastric administration of the dense extract of marigold flowers at a dose of 10 mg/kg and patuletin and patulitrin at a dose of 1 mg/kg against a background of 3% water load in a 4-h experiment. Diuresis and creatininuresis (a sign of increased glomerular filtration) significantly increased by the end of a 24-h experiment with the dense extract (like the effect of hypothiazide at an effective average therapeutic dose of 20 mg/kg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers' livelihoods are deeply rooted in marigold floriculture, alleviate rural poverty, provide job opportunities, regular income, and food security. The study presents how farmers' lifestyles and livelihoods affect this ornamental flower cultivation. We have surveyed 320 marigold farmers three times on their economic, social, and entertainment factors in 2019 in Eastern India. We use Structural Equation Model in the history of the floricultural realm for the first time. Our results indicate that economic factors have positive direct, indirect, and specific indirect effects on marigold floricultural land, average yield, and continuous income. Social factors have more indirect and specific indirect effects than direct effects on the same marigold production, sown area, and revenue. Entertainment factors partially mediate the positive relationship between economic factors and marigolds, and they fully mediate the negative relationship between social factors and the plant. In interaction, on the one hand, social factors dampen the positive relationship between economic factors and marigold floriculture, and at the same time, social factors strengthen the positive relationship between economic factors and entertainment factors. The socio-economic impacts vary in groups–moderators: one group of farmers cultivating irregularly per year gave importance on social sides, and the other group who grew them regularly benefitted in the economic field. Besides, the whole marigold farming system is controlled by the effects of continuous cultivation years and farmers' farming knowledge. Three kinds of Cluster Analyses prove that all livelihood conditions of regular producers groups are higher than that of the irregular groups. Lastly, marigolds are practiced in almost all villages. However, the yield rate is not always constant. So, the farmers select their methods to produce the highest consistent output while preserving sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, via a 180-day field trial, the indicators of soil total cadmium, DTPA-Cd, organic matter, and plant cadmium extraction were tested after the application of chelate tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (GLDA) to investigate the potential of GLDA combined with Tagetes patula L. to remediate cadmium-contaminated soil. To do so, five GLDA treatments (e.g., 0, 292.5, 585, 1170, and 2340 kg hm−2) were practiced. For each treatment, the total GLDA was divided into two applications with 15-day intervals (0.25, 0.47, and 0.61 mg·kg−1) under T. patula plantation. Compared with the control, our results showed that GLDA application significantly increased the biomass of aerial parts of T. patula by 21.9% (p < 0.05). Likewise, Cd content in aboveground and underground parts of T. patula increased by 94.7% and 60.5%, respectively, compared with the control (p < 0.05). GLDA application caused significant increases in Cd accumulations in cell soluble fraction and cell wall by 290% and 123%, respectively (p < 0.05); soil pH and DTPA-Cd content increased with the increase of total application of GLDA. Co-application of GLDA (2340 kg hm−2) and T. patula reduced the total soil Cd content by 12.87% compared with the soil background. Altogether, our findings conclude on the efficacy of GLDA application for the remediation of Cd-contaminated farmlands under T. patula cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root-knot nematode disease is a catastrophic soil-borne disease in tobacco production. The regulation of natural microbial communities is considered a good disease management approach to suppress the incidence of soilborne diseases. In this study, the effects of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)-marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) rotation on the diversity and structure of soil microbial communities in continuously cropped tobacco fields were analyzed to manage this devastating pathogen. The results showed that the soil bacterial OTUs increased after marigold rotation and that the bacterial Shannon, ACE, Chao1 index, and fungal Shannon index were higher in the tobacco-marigold rotation fields than in the continuously cropped tobacco fields by 3.98%, 10.37%, 5.46%, and 3.43%, respectively. After marigold rotation, the relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Ascomycota increased by 28.62%, 107.50%, and 57.44%, respectively, and the proportion of beneficial bacterial genera such as Nocardioides, Gemmatimonas, and Bradyrhizobium increased. In addition, our results also showed that rotation of marigold could effectively reduce the incidence of root-knot nematodes in the next crop of tobacco. These results indicate that marigold rotation had a positive effect on the soil microecological environment of continuously cropped tobacco fields, reducing the obstacles to continuous cropping of tobacco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial wilt disease is caused by the Ralstonia species (R. solanacearum, R. pseudosolanacearum, and R. syzygii). It is the most serious soil-borne disease of many economically important crops including tomato, potato, chili pepper, tobacco, and eggplant. Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an important commercial flower crop in Thailand and has been severely affected by this bacterial wilt disease. The purpose of this study was to identify six isolates of Ralstonia spp. collected from wilting marigolds. Taking into consideration symptoms, stem-streaming tests, and characteristic growth on the TZC medium, the causal agent was preliminarily identified as a Ralstonia sp. The results of a pathogenicity test revealed that all six isolates were highly virulent to marigold and tomato but only moderately virulent to chili pepper and eggplant. Determination of isolate phylotype used a Pmx-PCR assay which revealed that all the isolates detected were phylotype I, and thus Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum. The isolates were further classified as sequevar 13 based on partial egl and hrpB gene sequences. This study determined that the bacterial pathogens from marigold belonged to phylotype I as R. pseudosolanacearum and sequevar 13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of degradable chelating agents to facilitate phytoextraction is a promising low-cost method for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. However, there are few studies on how plants and soils respond to the chelating agents. In this study, the responses of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) and soil cadmium (Cd) to the chelator tetrasodium glutamate (GLDA) was investigated in a 180 d field trial. Five GLDA treatments (0, 292.5, 585, 1170, and 2340 kg hm−2) were carried out in a Cd-contaminated soil (0.47 mg kg−1) under French marigold plantation. The results showed that the application of GLDA promoted the transformation of other forms of Cd in soil to exchangeable state, and the exchangeable Cd and Fe–Mn oxide bound state increased by 42.13% and 32.97% (p < 0.05), respectively. The cell wall Cd accumulations significantly increased 9.39% (p < 0.05) and the percentages of soluble fractions increased by 460.33% (p < 0.05). Furthermore, increases occurred in soil pH, as well as DOC and DTPA-Cd contents with increasing the total amount of GLDA. The composite application of GLDA (2340 kg hm−2) with French marigold reduced the total soil Cd content by 7.59% compared with the soil background. Altogether, results of this study suggested that the application of GLDA can effectively activate soil Cd and enhance the capability of French marigold for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) is a valuable source of biologically active compounds, including flavonoids. The study was aimed at developing a quantitative determination method for total flavonoid content (TFC) in the aerial part of French marigold harvested after collecting flowers. The proposed method was based on differential spectrophotometry using rutin reference standard at analytical wavelength 412 nm. The TFC in the herb samples varied from 1.68 ± 0.05% to 2.94 ± 0.05% (recalculated as rutin). The mean error of a single TFC determination at confidence probability 95% was ± 3.86%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effectiveness of various chitosan composites on the stabilization of Cr6+ in contaminated soils and growth characteristics of the marigold plant, a factorial pot trial with completely randomized design and three replications was performed in controlled conditions. The experimental treatments were: the contamination levels of soil to Cr (0, 20, 60 and 180 mg/kg) and adsorbent types (pure chitosan, biochar, zeolite and manganese dioxide, composites of chitosan–biochar, chitosan–zeolite, chitosan–manganese dioxide and control). The results showed that increasing the concentration of Cr in the soil interfered with the processes of nutrient uptake by the marigold and led to a significant reduction in growth characteristics. But the addition of adsorbents to the soil by immobilizing some of the available Cr reduced marigold uptake of Cr and thus reduced its toxic effects. By adding adsorbents to the soil, marigold uptake of nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium and iron was improved, and growth indices increased. Among the adsorbents used in this experiment, the chitosan–manganese dioxide composite had a higher efficiency in the immobilization of Cr in the soil. By applying the chitosan–manganese dioxide composite to the soil at the rate of 0.5% W/W, the concentration of Cr in the shoot of the marigold plant decreased about 87.61% when compared to the control treatment. But the shoot height and shoot dry weight increased by 48.38 and 59.28%, and the concentration of phosphorus, potassium and iron in plant tissues increased by 100.00, 129.62 and 320.33%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid hydrolysis of flavonoid glycosides B 1 b , B 3 b , and B 6 b - B 11 b was performed in HCl solution (2%) on a boiling-water bath for 2 h. Flowers of I Tagetes patula i L. (Asteraceae) (French marigold) are a promising source of flavonoids and contain ~4-9% of them according to various literature data [[1], [3]]. The isolated compounds were identified using UV, SP 1 sp H NMR, and SP 13 sp C NMR spectroscopy. Enzymatic hydrolysis of flavonoids B 1 b , B 3 b , and B 11 b used an aqueous solution of I i -glucosidase (Sigma). [Extracted from the article]

The present investigation reports antioxidant and osmotic components of Marigold at different developmental stages and also presents influence of its leachates on germination and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. Leaves of younger plants exhibit more phenols, tannins and flavonoids as compared to root and stem. Leaves and flowers of CV. PBG exhibited greater contents of total phenols and flavonoids in comparison to CV. PNG. Leaves and flowers had greater free amino acids and free proline as compared to stem and root. Sodium was more in roots than in stem and leaves, whereas potassium and nitrogen are greater in leaves and stem of younger plants. Leaves of CV. PBG accumulated greater contents of potassium, nitrogen and calcium in comparison to those of PNG. Activity of PAL, SOD and CAT was greater in older plants and in flowers as compared to leaves. Non-enzymatic antioxidant components like ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione also exhibited the same trend. Nevertheless, APX, GPX and GR activity was less in the older plants and more in flowers than leaves. APX and GR activity was higher in CV. PBG than CV. PNG, whereas the activity of GPX and GST was more in PNG in comparison to PBG. The two cultivars (PNG and PBG) of Tagetes erecta L., their different parts and developmental stages showed considerable variation in their antioxidant and osmotic constituents. Accumulation of various antioxidant and osmotic components reported above may probably help Tagetes erecta L. adapt to varying environments. Higher concentration of leachates of leaves and flowers of marigold reduced germination percentage and seedling growth of wheat, whereas treatments of leachates of lower concentration somewhat stimulated the growth of wheat seedlings. Flower leachates showed more pronounced effects than leaf leachates. Further experimentation may lead to identification of allelochemicals in these leachates which may pave way for exploring the possibility of their use along with synthetic herbicides/weedicides in order to minimize the toxicity of soil caused by the use of synthetic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, pot-culture experiments were conducted to investigate the single effect of Cd, PCBs, and the combined effect of Cd-PCBs with Tagetes patula L. The study highlights that the minimum concentration of PCBs (100 µg kg−1) could enable the growth of the plant with an increase in biomass by 27.76% when compared with the control. In all the experiments performed, the Cd concentrations over the surface parts were found to be above 100 mg kg−1. Significant positive correlations were observed between the Cd and PCBs concentrations accumulated in tissues of the soil and plants (p < 0.05). T. patula exhibited high tolerance to Cd and PCBs, and the plant promoted the removal rate of PCBs. The removal rates of PCB18 and PCB28 were up to 42.72 and 42.29%, respectively. The study highlights the potential and suitability of T. patula for phytoremediation of Cd and PCBs in contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Marigold (Tagetes sp.) is rich in health-promoting secondary metabolites like polyphenolic compounds and carotenoids. Though the marigold petals are excellent repository of natural pigments like carotenoids and natural antioxidants, enormous amount of dry biomass of marigold petals generated after usage is getting wasted. Thus, to utilize the marigold biomass generated effectively, there is a need of systematic study on level of natural antioxidants and pigments in diverse colored marigold petals. To address this issue, a study was conducted with the objective to determine the color coordinates, total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), carotenoids, and in vitro antioxidant potential (AOP) in marigold flowers with varying petal colors ranging from off-white to deep orange. Significant differences were observed among the different marigold genotypes for their color coordinates, TPC, TFC, total carotenoids, and AOP. The TPC, TFC, and total carotenoid content ranged between 7.35–12.02 g GAE, 3.00–5.20 g CE, and 0.019–2.53 g βCE/100 g dry petal, respectively. Petal color is the prime-determinant of the carotenoids, petals with light to deep orange color had significantly high amount of carotenoids than the petals with off-white to yellow color. Color coordinate a* and Chroma were positively correlated with carotenoid content, and TPC was positively correlated with AOP measured in terms of both radical scavenging activity and reducing power, while TFC was positively correlated with AOP measured in terms of radical scavenging activity. To summarize, marigold flower petals can be commercially exploited as a source of natural phenolics with antioxidant potential for utilization in food industries in place of artificial antioxidant compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution associated with heavy metal contaminated wastewater due to rapid industrialization and urbanization is a global concern. Especially, heavy metal contamination in aqueous bodies is a major ecological problem as they get bioaccumulated are carcinogenic. Lead (Pb) also is one of the carcinogenic metal present in wastewater. The long exposure of Pb(II) through the food chain beyond the limit results in severe health damage and is harmful to the environment. Therefore, various conventional treatment methods have been used to minimize the water pollution due to heavy metals. Among these various methods, the adsorption is considered as the most successful method for separation of Pb(II) from wastewater because it is easy in operation, inexpensive and highly efficient as compared with other methods. The aim of the present study is to assess the potential of Tagetes minuta residue (TMR) which is generated from the Tagetes minuta plant after essential oil extraction for removal of Pb(II) using the adsorption method. The adsorption influenced parameters such as dose (0.8 g), pH value (5.0) and contact time (60 min) were optimized. The adsorption capacity of TMR was found to be 29 mg g–1 using Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Results followed pseudo-second order kinetics for adsorption of Pd(II) onto TMR. The regeneration efficiency of TMR was found constant up to four cycles with removal efficiency in the range of 89 to 57%. Thus, TMR can be an efficient and cost-effective option for the treatment of water contaminated with Pb(II) ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco bacterial wilt (TBW) is seriously damages the growth of tobacco. There is an urgent need to find a safer and more effective measure to control TBW. In this study, B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 and marigold powder were applied to the tobacco roots alone or in combination, and the potential inhibition of TBW was assessed. On the other hand, the effects of these treatments on soil physicochemical properties, rhizosphere microbial community and soil metabolites were also evaluated. The results showed that the application of B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 or marigold powder alone significantly reduced the abundance of R. solanacearum in rhizosphere soil, while the integrated treatment showed the strongest inhibitory effect. Moreover, the integrated treatment can inhibit the secretion of chemoattractants, and affect the change of rhizosphere soil microbial composition. In conclusion, the combination of antagonistic bacteria agent B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 with marigold powder can enhance the suppression of TBW. Furthermore, B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 and marigold have synergistic effects on suppressing TBW by regulation soil physicochemical properties, soil metabolites and microbial structure. This study provide a promising strategy for TBW control by integrated applying of B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 and marigold powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marigolds (Tagetes spp.) in this study were classified as excluders for cadmium (Cd); however, their leaves also accumulated substantial Cd content. Among the experimental treatments (i.e., control, cattle manure, pig manure, and leonardite which served as soil amendments), pig manure resulted in significantly increased growth performance for all marigold cultivars as seen by relative growth rates (119–132.3%) and showed positive effects on leaf anatomy modifications, e.g., thickness of spongy and palisade mesophyll, size of vein area and diameter of xylem cells. This may be due to substantially higher essential nutrient content, e.g., total nitrogen (N) and extractable phosphorus (P), in pig manure that aided all marigold cultivars, particularly the French cultivar which exhibited the highest relative growth rate (132.3%). In the Cd-only treatment, cell disorganization was observed in vascular bundles as well as in palisade and spongy mesophyll, which may have been responsible for the lowest plant growth performance recorded in this study, particularly among the American and Honey cultivars (RGR = 73% and 77.3%, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C4 photosynthesis is a remarkable complex trait, elucidations of the evolutionary trajectory of C4 photosynthesis from its ancestral C3 pathway can help us better understand the generic principles of the evolution of complex traits and guide the engineering of C3 crops for higher yields. Here, we used the genus Flaveria that contains C3, C3–C4, C4-like and C4 species as a system to study the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. We first mapped transcript abundance, protein sequence and morphological features onto the phylogenetic tree of the genus Flaveria, and calculated the evolutionary correlation of different features; we then predicted the relative changes of ancestral nodes of those features to illustrate the major events during the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. We found that gene expression and protein sequence showed consistent modification patterns in the phylogenetic tree. High correlation coefficients ranging from 0.46 to 0.9 among gene expression, protein sequence and morphology were observed. The greatest modification of those different features consistently occurred at the transition between C3-C4 species and C4-like species. Our results show highly coordinated changes in gene expression, protein sequence and morphological features, which support evolutionary major events during the evolution of C4 metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tagetes patula L. (marigold) is a valuable source of biologically active compounds, including flavonoids. A quantitative determination method for total flavonoids in T. patula flowers using differential spectrophotometry at analytical wavelength 428 nm and a reference standard of patulitrin (3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxy-6-methoxyflavone 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) was developed during the present work. The error of a single determination of total flavonoids in T. patula flowers was ± 3.86% with confidence probability 95%. The content of total flavonoids in T. patula flowers varied from 6.12 ± 0.07% to 8.30 ± 0.12%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the possible effects of some chelating agents on phytoremediation efficiency and plant growth parameters of Amaranthus caudatus L. and Tagetes patula L. in soils contaminated with lead. Method: The plant species were grown in pots and treated with lead nitrate and in combination with 2.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mmol/kg of EDTA, SA and CA, respectively. Results: The results showed that the highest accumulations of Pb (mg/kg) with 0.74 and 0.13 were found in the roots and stems of A. caudatus exposed to 400 mg/kg Pb containing EDTA and SA, respectively. Moreover, the highest accumulation of Pb in the roots and stems of T. patula with 0.87 and 1.5 mg/kg were observed in 400 mg/kg Pb- contaminated soil containing SA. Conclusions: Although the results obtained showed that T. patula would have a better phytoextraction potential than A. caudatus, it should be noted that due to the Pb behavior in the soil and/or leaching of Pb from the soil columns during the irrigation period the low amounts of Pb absorption by the root and aerial parts of the plants compared to the added doses of Pb(NO3)2 solution to the soil samples, imply the studied plants haven't the adequate potential for phytoextraction of Pb from contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The major factors controlling the soil methane (CH4) concentration and CH4 emissions of various plant (mainly wetland) species were identified. Methods: Five plant species (Oryza sativa, Zizania latifolia, Phragmites australis, Sesbania cannabina, and Bidens tripartita) were separately cultivated under the flooded soil conditions. The direct CH4 scavenging potential of B. tripartita roots was also measured in conjunction with in vitro CH4 scavenging experiments using H2O2 and several transition metal ions. Results: CH4 emissions from the soil-cultivated plants did not depend on the maximum CH4 emission potential for each plant species but on the soil CH4 concentrations, which were positively correlated with the CH4 production potential of the soil and negatively correlated with soil Eh values. Bidens tripartita roots possessed the highest increasing soil Eh potential and a direct, immediate, and continuous CH4 scavenging potential via the Fenton reaction using a considerably high concentration of root apoplastic H2O2 and rhizosphere Fe2+. Conclusions: Bidens tripartita presented the highest soil Eh ascending potential. The in vitro experiments suggested the involvement of・OH/FeIVO2+ via the newly termed rhizosphere Fenton reaction as a strong destructive power for CH4. To our knowledge, this is the first report on direct CH4 scavenging by high H2O2-exuding plant roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marigold is reported to have antibacterial activity, and effectively protect crops against soil-borne diseases. However, it is not known whether and how tobacco bacterial wilt (TBW) could be mitigated via intercropping with marigold under field conditions. In this study, a field experiment was performed to measure and compare the occurrence of TBW, the soil chemical properties, and soil microbial composition and diversity between a tobacco-marigold intercropping system and a tobacco monocropping system. At 100 days (d) post-transplantation, the incidence (I) and disease index (DI) for the tobacco-marigold intercropping system were 30.12% and 58.25% lower than that for tobacco monocropping system, respectively. The results showed that Sobs, Shannon and Chao 1 index of soil bacterial communities in the tobacco-marigold intercropping system were 10.34%, 1.41% and 5.13% higher than that in the tobacco monocropping system at 100 d post-transplantation, respectively. It exhibited a higher richness and diversity of soil bacterial communities in the tobacco-marigold intercropping system. The relative abundance of some beneficial genera in tobacco-marigold intercropping system, such as Lysobacter, Burkholderia, Trichoderma, Mortierella, Chaetomium, Penicillium, was 1.50, 1.61, 3.35, 1.67, 4.40 and 4.50 fold higher than that in tobacco monocropping system. The presence of the intercropping system inhibited soil acidification and loss of soil calcium ions. The redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that soil pH and exchange Ca2+ were the main environmental factors which seemed to influence the bacterial and fungal community. The results from this study provided valuable insight into the possible mechanisms enhancing soil health in the tobacco-marigold intercropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoextraction has been considered an effective and environment-friendly method for removing heavy metals from contaminated soil. However, the efficiency, mechanism, and adaptability of phytoextraction by hyperaccumulators in Cd-polluted weakly alkaline soil have not been investigated in detail. In this study, pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the enhanced effects of S,S-ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) on phytoextraction in alkaline soil by measuring the degradation kinetic characteristics of EDDS and Cd absorption dynamics of Tagetes patula L. (T. patula) and Phytolacca americana L. (P. americana) for a period of 55 days. Results showed that the half-life of EDDS varied from 4.20–7.07 days and 3.35–4.36 days for T. patula and P. americana, respectively. EDDS-activated Cd reached saturation at a low dosage (1 mM) and a single application of EDDS was found to be better than double applications. The activation of EDDS on Cd applied before 45 days of harvest was better than that before 15 days of harvest, and disappeared after a 35-day application. Correspondingly, the Cd concentration in P. americana and T. patula leaves increased significantly after 3 days of the EDDS application. However, T. patula had a biomass 2.57 times and Cd absorption capacity 10.06 times higher than P. americana. EDDS showed almost no influence on the stem and leaf biomass of T. patula; however, the root weight decreased by 9.44–71.77%. The Cd concentration in T. patula leaves of all the treatments was 1.00–1.81 times that of the control group. In comparison with other treatments, the EDDS application (3 mM) before 15 days of harvest extracted the highest amount of Cd (601.45 μg/pot) in T. patula shoots, reaching 1.40 times that in the control group. Therefore, T. patula might be a more suitable phytoremediator for Cd-polluted alkaline soil than P. americana; the most effective method was the EDDS application (3 mM) before 15 days of harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The co-contamination of farmland soils with heavy metals and antibiotics from the application of livestock and poultry manures poses great threats to human health. Phytoremediation might be a good solution to this problem. A pot culture experiment was conducted to evaluate the remediation capacity of two ornamental hyperaccumulators, namely, Mirabilis jalapa L. and Tagetes patula L., in alkaline soils co-contaminated with cadmium (Cd) and tetracycline antibiotics (TCs). The growth of M. jalapa and T. patula was significantly influenced by the co-contaminated soil. In treatments with TCs alone, the growth of T. patula was promoted (p < 0.05), while that of M. jalapa was inhibited. In the C2T3 treatment with TCs and Cd combined, the biomass of T. patula and M. jalapa decreased by 42.27% and 56.15% in roots and by 22.24% and 32.27% for in shoots, respectively, compared with those in the same treatment without TCs. The addition of TCs increased the accumulation of Cd in treatments with less than 15.0 mg/kg Cd. In M. jalapa, the concentration of Cd increased by 4.64% and 39.69% in roots and by 30.33% and 71.71% in shoots, and that in T. patula increased by 74.66% and 11.03% in roots and by 15.36% and 17.58% in shoots, respectively, in two treatments with TCs compared with those in the treatments with Cd alone. However, the accumulated Cd amounts decreased from 36.25 to 31.91 μg/pot and increased from 201.33 to 229.26 μg/pot in C2T2 for M. jalapa and T. patula, respectively, compared with those in the treatments without TCs. The TC removal efficiencies of all treatments were above 99%, and the residual amounts of TC and OTC were higher than that of CTC. M. jalapa and T. patula are promising hyperaccumulators that can be used for the remediation of alkaline soil co-contaminated with Cd and TCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transposable elements constitute a large fraction of plant genomes and represent a powerful marker tool for genetic diversity studies. Here, the retrotransposon-based marker method inter primer binding sites (iPBS) was used to assess the genetic variation and intergeneric hybrid dynamics in the family Asteraceae by studying genera Helianthus, Echinaceae, Tagetes, Tithonia and Verbesina. Two selected iPBS primers (2222 and 2224) detected intergeneric polymorphism in the range 44.8% - 93.3% (mean 70%) and 85.7% - 100% (mean 89.5%) respectively. Moreover, iPBS markers allowed the genetic discrimination at within-species level between varieties of H. annuus (35.7% and 19.1%) but also between single cross's segregating intergeneric hybrids (28.6% and 40%). The inheritance of iPBS markers and the parental genomes respectively in intergeneric hybrids of H. annuus has been manifested by the non-random elimination of markers mainly of origin of wild species and the preferential inheritance of markers unique to H. annuus. Such instability evidences genomic reconstruction involving LTR elements. In conclusion, the iPBS method stands as a reliable approach for the evaluation of genetic diversity of Asteraceae germplasms and perspective for use in the breeding practice of sunflower and related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of techniques to non-destructively monitor allelochemical dynamics in soil using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microtubing (silicone tubing microextraction, or STME) provides a means to test important ecological hypotheses regarding the roles of these compounds in plant-plant interactions. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of intra- and interspecific competition on the exudation of thiophenes by marigolds (Tagetes patula L.). Marigolds were grown at a density of 1, 3 and 5 plants in pots (8.75 × 8.75 cm) containing two STME samplers. An additional treatment included one marigold surrounded by four velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti L.) plants. Marigold roots released two primary thiophenes, 3-buten-1-ynyl)-2,2′-bithienyl and α-terthienyl, which are readily absorbed by silicone microtubing. Thiophene exudation was monitored over the period 15–36 days after planting, at 2–5 day intervals. At the end of the study, root and soil samples were also analyzed for thiophene content. Thiophene production per plant increased over time, and thiophene release was strongly correlated with plant size. These results indicate that thiophene release in this study was passively controlled by resource availability. However, poor growth of velvetleaf plants competing with marigold suggests that thiophenes negatively influenced velvetleaf growth. This study, then, provides indirect evidence that thiophene exudation is insensitive to neighbor identity but differentially effective in inhibiting the growth of heterospecific neighbors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large part of the world has nutrients-deficient soil, where chemical fertiliser application is cost prohibitive. Plants with superior root system architecture perform better in such soils by virtue of their superior mineral assimilation potential. Earlier we showed that seed pre-treatment with nano-pyrite (FeS2/Py) results in improved root architecture in chickpea, Sesamum, carrot and beetroot. Here we have developed a root-priming strategy for crops requiring transplantation. As a case study, roots of 28-days-old chilli and marigold seedlings were primed for 3 h in an aqueous suspension of nano-pyrite (@100 µg/ml), prior to transplantation, resulting in significant increase in the fruit and flower yield respectively. Chilli yields for control (without nitrogen, phosphorous, potash (NPK) or root priming), with NPK application only, with nano-pyrite root-priming only, and with nano-pyrite root-priming along with NPK application were found out to be 1327.60 ± 85.15, 1966.46 ± 11.15, 2118.23 ± 67.69, and 3322.43 ± 109.89 (mean (kg/ha) ± standard deviation, n = 3 replications) respectively. Mean marigold flower number per plant for control and nano-pyrite root priming were found to be ~ 13 and ~ 27, respectively (n = 30). We validate these results by proposing an ionic model explaining the observed root-priming effect. Temporal pH measurement during 3 h of root priming; elemental analysis of roots after 3 h priming and 30 days of transplantation after priming; and root system analysis after 30 days of transplantation were further conducted to firmly establish the role of nano-pyrite in redesigning the root architecture. This study is one of its kind in establishing, that application of a nano-material can modulate root architecture and thereby, influence the overall performance of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, ornamental plants have come under investigation as phytoremediation agents. In addition to reducing contaminant concentrations in soil, such plants support local economies by serving social (e.g., religious) and decorative purposes. Greenhouse studies investigated the phytostabilization potential of soil cadmium (Cd) by five cultivars of marigold (Tagetes erecta), a common ornamental flower in Asia. The effects of organic (cattle manure and pig manure) and inorganic (leonardite and Osmocote®) amendments in supporting plant growth and enhancing Cd uptake were also examined. Marigold cultivars Babuda and Sunshine grown in soil supplemented with pig manure produced the greatest biomass and experienced greatest Cd accumulation and flower production. In all treatments, plant parts accumulated Cd in the following order: root > shoot ≈ flower. Furthermore, Babuda and Sunshine cultivars had a high phytostabilization potential as evidenced by translocation factors < 1 and bioconcentration factors > 1 for roots. It is proposed that Babuda and Sunshine marigold cultivars be applied toward Cd phytostabilization while enhancing local economies as an ornamental species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six compositions with various quantities of lipophilic and hydrophilic phases and different emulsifiers were developed. The suppository lipophilic component was type A solid fat; hydrophilic, poly (ethylene glycol) molecules with varying chain lengths and molecular masses. Comprehensive theoretical and experimental results led to formulation of the optimal composition with 35% marigold CO2 extract. The processing parameters for producing such suppositories were optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peat-based growing media are not ecologically sustainable and peat extraction threatens sensitive peatland ecosystem. In this study, olive-stone waste (OSW) and paper waste (PW) were used in different ratios—as growing media—for ornamental crop production, as peat (P) substitutes. Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), petunia (Petunia x hybrita L.) and matthiola (Matthiola incana L.) plants were grown in (1) P (100%), (2) P:OSW (90%:10%), (3) P:OSW (70%:30%), and (4) P:OSW:PW (60%:20%:20%). The physicochemical properties of these substrates and the effects on plant growth were determined. The addition of 10-30% OSW into the substrate increased marigold height compared to plants grown in 100% peat. No differences in plant size, plant biomass (leaves and flowers), and dry matter content were found. Adding PW, in combination with OSW, maintained marigold height and total number of flowers produced to similar levels as in plants grown in 100% peat. In matthiola, adding 30% OSW into the substrate reduced plant size and fresh weight, but not plant height. No differences were observed when plants grew in lower OSW (i.e., 10%) content. Petunia's height, its total number of flowers and flower earliness (flower opening) were increased in the presence of OSW compared to the plants grown in 100% peat. The addition of OSW did not affect petunia's size and fresh weight among treatments. The addition of PW suppressed several plant growth-related parameters for both matthiola and petunia. The insertion of OSW did not change leaf chlorophyll content whereas the presence of PW decreased chlorophylls for marigold, petunia, and matthiola. Both OSW and PW altered the content of total phenolics and antioxidant capacity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) in leaves and flowers for marigold and petunia. Both 30% OSW and PW increased antioxidative enzyme metabolism due to the increased damage index and lipid peroxidation observed in plants. Leaf N and P content decreased in PW-based media, while matthiola displayed visual phytotoxicity symptoms when PW was added into the substrate. The present work indicates that up to 30% of OSW can replace peat for marigold and petunia growing and only up to 10% of OSW for matthiola, while the addition of PW on top of OSW is not recommended, so further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the first record of the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in tomato and marigold plants in India. TSWV is a serious virus that affects over 900 plant species worldwide. Previously, TSWV had been documented in chrysanthemum and snapdragon plants in Nilgiris, India. Symptoms of TSWV, such as necrotic spots and leaf bronzing, were observed in tomato and marigold plants cultivated near the infected snapdragon and chrysanthemum plots. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of TSWV in the symptomatic plants, and genetic analysis showed a high similarity to known TSWV sequences. The authors acknowledge funding support from the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Science and Technology. [Extracted from the article]

Sugar industry is a very important agro-based industry in India and it discharges large amount of effluent into water bodies to create high pollution in water bodies which affects the plants and other living organisms. In the present investigation, the physico-chemical analyses of N. P. K. R. Ramaswamy co-operative sugar mill effluent was determined and impact of different concentrations (control, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of sugar mill effluent on seed germination behavior of African marigold ( Tagetes erecta L.) was studied. The morphological parameters such as germination percentage, shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of seedlings, seed vigour index, tolerance index and percentage of phytotoxicity were calculated. The results recorded for the analyses of sugar mill effluent indicated their some parameters such as P, EC, acidity, TDS, TS, BOD, COD, sulphate, magnesium, nitrogen, zinc, iron, copper, lead, manganese and oil and grease exceeded the permissible limit compared to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and then germination and growth parameters increased in lower (10%) concentration of sugar mill effluent and this morphological parameters gradually decreased with increasing effluent concentration. The lower (10%) concentration of sugar mill effluent may be used for irrigation purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earlier it was suggested, based on study of the morphological features, that a new taxon of burmarigold, which had been noted in recent decades in several locations on the territory of Russia and neighboring countries and described as an alien species of Bidens connata, is in fact a hybrid species that arose in Europe. This hypothesis was confirmed by the molecular genetic method. A complex of taxa of the genus Bidens from various parts of the areal and their F1 first generation offspring were studied, and a polymerase chain reaction was performed using ISSR primers. It was established that the taxon investigated represents a complex of hybrids and recurrent hybrids that arose in the European part of Russia independently by hybridization of the alien B. frondosa and the aboriginal B. cernua. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to understand the ecological and economic sustainability of floriculture and other main crops in Indian agro-ecosystems. The cultivation practices of four major flower crops, namely Jasminum multiflorum, Crossandra infundibuliformis, Chrysanthemum and Tagetes erecta, were studied in detail. The production cost of flowers in terms of energy was calculated to be 99,622-135,996 compared to 27,681-69,133 MJ ha for the main crops, namely Oryza sativa, Eleusine coracana, Zea mays and Sorghum bicolor. The highest-energy input amongst the crops was recorded for Z. mays (69,133 MJ ha) as this is a resource-demanding crop. However, flower cultivation requires approximately twice the energy required for the cultivation of Z. mays. In terms of both energy and monetary inputs, flower cultivation needs two to three times the requirements of the main crops cultivated in the region. The monetary inputs for main crop cultivation were calculated to be ₹ 27,349 to ₹ 46,930 as compared to flower crops (₹ 62,540 to ₹ 144,355). Floriculture was found to be more efficient in monetary terms when compared to the main crops cultivated in the region. However, the energy efficiency of flower crops is lower than that of the main crops, and the energy output from flower cultivation was found to be declining in tropical agro-ecosystems in India. Amongst the various inputs, farmyard manure accounts for the highest proportion, and for its preparation, most of the raw material comes from the surrounding ecosystems. Thus, flower cultivation has a direct impact on the ecosystem resource flow. Therefore, keeping the economic and environmental sustainability in view, this study indicates that a more field-based research is required to frame appropriate policies for flower cultivation to achieve sustainable socio-ecological development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of enzymatic hydrolysis of carotenoid esters from Tagetes erecta using lipases from the yeast of Yarrowia lipolytica, with the aim of obtaining free lutein. The optimal concentrations of seven nutrients, considering the production of lipases relative to biomass ( Y ) as the response variable, were determined in flask fermentations. In addition, we studied the effect on hydrolysis of growing Y. lipolytica in the presence of the oleoresin of the marigold flower in flask and stirred tank. Furthermore, hydrolysis of the oleoresin using the lipases from this microorganism was compared with the hydrolysis using lipases from Rhizopus oryzae. Cultured in the presence of marigold oleoresin, Y. lipolytica showed an increase in free carotenoids of 12.41% in flask and 8.8% in stirred tank, representing a fourfold and a threefold increase compared to the initial value in the fermentation, respectively. When lipases from the supernatant from both microorganisms were used for only 14 h hydrolysis experiments, a slight increase was achieved compared to a blank. We concluded that carotenoid esters of the oleoresin could not be completely hydrolyzed in 14 h by these lipases, but that growing Y. lipolytica in the presence of marigold oleoresin gives until fourfold production of free carotenoids in 72 h fermentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]