M.A. Thesis:

Effects of jasmonic acid foliar application on quality and quantity yield of marigold

marigold (Calendula officinalis) is one of the most important medicinal plants used in traditional and modern. To study the effects of foliar application of Jasmonic acid on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of marigold , a field experiment was conducted in Sabzevar branch, Islamic Azad university in 2014-2015 as factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors were: Foliar application time in three levels (vegetative, reproductive and vegetative+reproductive stages) Jasmonic acid amount at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 ?M). Some traits such as plant height, number of branches, number of flowers per plant, dry matter yield of petals and petal were recorded. Analysis of data showed that application time had significant effect on all traits except petals yield. Also Jasmonic acid amount have a significant effect on all traits. Two times foliar application at vegetative+reproductive stages had the highest plant height, branches number and petal yield. There weren’t statistically significant difference among treatments for plant height, flower and petal yield. Increasing of Jasmonic acid amounts significantly increased plant height, number of branches, number of flowers and petals yield and the highest was observed in 150 ?M jasmonic acid. As the results showed, 100 micro-molar once foliar application of Jasmonic acid in the reproductive stage had the highest yield.

Keywords: Foliar application, Jasmonic acid, Marigold, Medicinal plant