Effects of different planting times on the yield flower and seed of marigold (Calendula ofiicinalis L.) grown under the Cukurova conditions

Calendula officinalis L., known as Marigold, belonging to Compositaea family, is annual plant. Calendula officinalis seeds provided from Zen garden were used as plant material. Field trials were arranged in the randomized block design with 3 replicates under Çukurova conditions. In the study, different planting times (1, 15 March and 1 April) were investigated. As a result, flower and seed yields were higher in planting time of 1 March. Quality characteristics such as essential oil from flowers and seed oil ratio were the highest in the planting time of 1 April. According to the results of present study, which is the first research investigating the effects of different planting times in spring and cultivation technigues under Çukurova, we come to the conclusion that Marigold could be cultivated under our conditions, but marigold is a cool season plant so sowing time in late autumn or early winter must be studied in the future studies.