Alternative substrates for the production of container-grown Mexican marigold

• Rodríguez Elizalde, María de los Angeles ^[1] ; Hernández-García, B.D.R. ^[1] ; Sánchez-Guzmán, P. ^[2] ; Ruíz-Bello, A. ^[2] ; Castro-Brindis, R. ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad Autónoma Chapingo

     Universidad Autónoma Chapingo

     México

     
  2. [2] Colegio de Postgraduados

     Colegio de Postgraduados

     México

     
• Localización: Agro Productividad, ISSN-e 2594-0252, Vol. 17, Nº. 10, 2024 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Octubre), págs. 11-19
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate substrate mixtures for the production of Mexican marigolds grown in containers in the community of Santa Cruz Itundujia, Oaxaca. Methods: Four soil mixtures were tested: 1) 70% ocote pine needles + 30% soil, 2) 70% leaf mold + 30% soil, 3) 70% river sand + 30% soil, and 4) 70% sawdust + 30% soil. Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta) var. Inca II Deep Orange plants were established in pots under open field conditions. Height, number of leaves, plant width, branching, leaf area, and number of buds were evaluated in the different phenological stages of the plant; the last measurement was made at the flowering stage. Soil fertility parameters were analyzed, and physical analysis of the substrates was performed. Results: The treatments produced differential results; ocote pine needles + soil and leaf mold + soil were the best for producing container-grown marigolds. The lowest results in yield variables were found with the river sand + soil mixture. Implications: Using local and inexpensive substrates will impact production costs for marigold farmers. Currently, a variety of commercial mixes and substrates of foreign origin are available and used for the production of container-grown plants. Conclusions: The best results were obtained with organic substrates, specifically with ocote pine needles and leaf mold. The mixture with sawdust did not show good results in the tested variables, possibly due to this material’s high carbon/nitrogen ratio. The lowest results were obtained with the sand + soil treatment. Keywords: Asteraceae, yield, sawdust, needle, Tagetes erecta