Abstract

Calendula officinalis L. is one of the most important medicinal plants that cultivated for production of pharmaceuticals and active ingredients in the petals. The active ingredients of the plant are flavonoids, glycosides, carotenoids and essential oils. Active substances of Marigold are used as an anti-inflammatory, an antitumor agent, and a remedy for healing wounds and also used as blood purifier. For production of high quality and more plant yield the use of fertilizers is necessary in calendula. In medicinal plants healthy and free of residual pesticides and fertilizers is very important [1]. The increasing use of chemical fertilizers has caused irreparable damage to environment, health and economy. But use of organic fertilizers in medicinal plants emphasized specially by WHO [2]. In this regard, the present study was to evaluate the effect of organic fertilizers on calendula, in a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications in Zanjan University was studied. Treatments include manure, poultry manure and vermicompost, each on 3 levels (5, 10 and 15 tons per hectare) and control (no fertilization). Evaluated traits were flavonoids, carotenoids and essential oils content. Results showed that effects of fertilizers on carotenoid content, essential oils (p0.01) and flavonoids (p0.05) were significantly different. In general it can be concluded that the use of organic fertilizers had favorable effects on yield and active ingredients content or secondary metabolites of calendula. Between organic fertilizers used, vermicompost, poultry manure and cattle manure had the best results, respectively. The maximum carotenoid content and essential oils obtained from vermicompost treatment and the maximum amount of flavonoid obtained from poultry manure treatment.