Effects of different sowing times on some agricultural traits of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) plant

This study was conducted in Eskişehir during the 2023-2024 vegetation period to determine the effects of different sowing times on some agricultural characteristics of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) plant. The research was designed according to a Randomized Block Design with 3 replications using 7 different sowing times (September, October, November, December, January, February, and March). The characteristics examined were emergence time, first flowering time, plant height, fresh flower yield per plant, dry flower yield per plant, flower number per plant, fresh flower yield per decare, dry flower yield per decare, essential oil content, and essential oil yield. The results of the study showed that emergence time ranged from 13.3 to 58.7 days, first flowering time from 75.7 to 187.0 days, plant height from 47.57 to 63.23 cm, fresh flower yield per plant from 7.9 to 80.4 g, dry flower yield per plant from 1.62 to 13.78 g, flower number per plant from 14.56 to 101.07, fresh flower yield per decare from 114.2 to 1324.1 kg, dry flower yield per decare from 24.7 to 208.0 kg, essential oil content ranged from 0.046% to 0.080%, and essential oil yield per decare ranged from 1.28 to 15.86 liters. As a result of the study, the highest values for calendula in Eskişehir's ecological conditions were obtained from sowing in September, followed by October. The highest flower yield in Eskişehir's ecological conditions was achieved by directly sowing calendula in the field in September, followed by emergence irrigation. Considering summer sowing, March was found to be the most suitable sowing time. Keywords: Calendula; Calendula officinalis L., sowing time, flower yield, essential oil content