Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
2
Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI), Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
3
2Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Abstract
Calendula officinalis, noted for its therapeutic and aesthetic qualities, requires sustainable cultivation to meet rising demand. The research was conducted at the Experimental Farm of Qaha Agriculture Station, Qalyoubia Governorate, under the Plant Protection Research Institute of the Agriculture Research Center, Egypt, during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons. The study sought to improve the quality and yield of calendula plants while controlling pest populations, particularly Empoasca disciplines, a significant economic pest that inflicts considerable damage on horticultural crops. This was achieved through two primary factors: the first involving three fertilizer treatments (recommended NPK dose as control, PGPR, and NPK combined with PGPR), and the second encompassing alternative pesticides (administered with and without alternative pesticides). The alternative pesticides consist of six environmentally benign options: Giskanim 1% EC, Sulfur 30% Liquid, Brave A M 6% SL, KZ Oil 95% EC, Potassium Agricultural Soap, and Top Perfect 82% EC. The utilization of all alternative pesticides and NPK with PGPR markedly improved growth performance, flowering characteristics, and chemical composition (total chlorophyll in leaves, total carotenoids, total flavonoids in dry ray flowers, percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and total carbohydrates in leaves) while diminishing pest populations of Empoasca discipiens compared to the absence of alternative pesticides and other treatments.
Keywords
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