MARIGOLD - THE DEITIES FAVOURITE Of all commercially grown cutflowers, the quantitative demand of marigold is the highest, particularly in

North-east and in South India. Moreover, the cultivation of marigold is very

easy and less expensive. It gives quick and good income. Hence, for a
beginner and novice in commercial floriculture, marigold cultivation will be
good starter.
STEP-WISE CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE
1. TYPES OF SOIL REQUIRED: Grows in any type of soil but Loamy to silty
loam soil is best suited for marigold cultivation.
2. SOIL pH: 5.5 to 7.00
3. TYPE OF LAND:
1. High land not inundated during rainy season.
2. Free from any shades
3. Must be getting minimum eight hours exposure to sun.
4. LAND PREPARATION:

Time of tillage: throughout year

Depth of tillage: Minimum 9" tillage followed by 10 days exposure to
bright sunshine.

Application of basal dose of fertilizers & manures:

Fertilizers are well mixed with the soil and then the soil mass is well
pulverized. Ridges & furrows are made on the soil for plantation of plantlets.
5. SAPLINGS/PLANTLETS:.

Saplings: In commercial floriculture, hybrid saplings are always

preferred to maintain the proper standard and variety true to the stock.

6. PLANTATION:
Plantlets are planted along the ridges prepared on the field with a distance of
30 cm between the plants, preferably in the afternoon. The distance between
ridges should be 45 cm. An acre of land will accommodate, approximately, 15
thousand plants.
7. MAINTENANCE CARES:

IRRIGATION: Twice a week during October to February and thrice a

week from February onwards.

PERIODIC APPLICATION OF MANURE & FERTILISERS

Name of manures

Doses to be applied in different intervals

& Fertilizers

21st Day 40th Day Thereafter at 21 days intervals

1. Urea

25 g/m2

2. SSP

25 g/m2 -

3. MOP

50 g/m2

4. Oil-cake

100g/m2

50g/m2

50g/m2

100g/m2

100g/m2

(Neem/Pongamia/ Mustard
but neem is preferred
5. Bone-meal

50g/m2

6. Sterameal -

25g/m2

50g/m2

7. Micro-nutrients mix 5g/lit. of water as the foliar spray at the interval of 15 days

N.B. -Soil testing for micro nutrient status before planting is always advised.

PINCHING OFF: After 10 days of plantation, the tips of the shoots

should be pinched off to facilitate lateral branching instead of slander
growth, because highly branched plants yield more flower.

PEST & DISEASE CONTROL

PEST CONTROL: As such marigold is a hardy plant and hence pest

attack is less frequent. The usual pest that attacks marigold is red
spider mites which suck the cell sap and make the plant seek and
ultimately die. In case of red spider mite attack, malathion, Metacid,
Rogor etc. may be sprayed with water to control this pest. .

DISEASE CONTROL: for any kind of fungal diseases in marigold

systemic fungicides like Bavistin or a contact fungicide such as Dithane
M-45 may be sprayed with water. Besides, these fungicides should be
used regularly at an interval of 15 days as a prophylactic against fungal
diseases.

8.HARVESTING:
1. Marigold starts blooming after 30 to 35 days. The approximate yield
would be about 20 tons per acre per season through several plucking.
2. Flowers are to be plucked in the evening and packed in bamboo
baskets with wet newspaper linings for dispatch to the market next
morning.
3. The maximum yield will be during October to March. The yield will be
negligible during the summer though the market price will be very high.
Marigold can be forced grown during summer on adoption of
appropriate technology. During rainy season the yield will be about 25
% of the winter and spring season.
9. YIELD & RETURN:
Yield : 20 tons per acre

MARIGOLD AS INTERCROP OR MAIN CROP.

INPUT

Cost of Rs.90k per Acres x 5 Acres.

= Rs.4.50 lac

Break up.
15000 Hybrid baby plants per acre x 5 acres=75000 @Rs.3/ per plant = Rs. 2.25 lac
5 acres land development (making of ridges etc.)@ Rs.10k per acre = Rs. 0.50 lac
Plantation expenses of 75000 baby plants per @Rs.1/ per plant

= Rs. 0. 75 lac

Manure cost & its application@Rs.10k per acre x 5 acres

= Rs. 0.50 lac

Fertilizers cost & its application@Rs.8 k per acre x 5 acres

= Rs. 0.40 lac

Other misleanious expenses @Rs.2k per acre x 5 acres

= Rs.0.10 lac

TOTAL INPUT CAPITAL

= Rs. 4.5 lac

OUTPUT.
1.5 kg flowers per plant x75000 plants =112500 kg @Rs.20/ per kg = Rs. 22.50 lac
Less harvesting & transportation expenses
GROSS TOTAL OUTPUT

= Rs. 2.50 lac

= Rs. 20.50 lac

LESS TOTAL INPUT CAPITAL

= Rs. 4.50 lac

NET TOTAL REVENUE

= Rs. 16.00 lac