Title: Mineral elements and biochemical analysis of Calendula officinalis L. affected by bio-stimulators
Abstract: PURPOSE: The objectives were to evaluate the foliar application effects of bio-stimulators on morphological and phytochemical traits of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.).METHODS: This experiment was conducted on the base of randomized complete blocks design with three replications in two growth seasons of 2011 and 2012.The treatments included foliar application of commercial formulations of aminolforte, kadostim, fosnutren, and humiforte (each of them at 0.75 and 1.5 L.ha-1) based on amino acid compounds, 75 kg.ha-1chemical complete fertilizer (20:20:20% of N:P:K), and control treatment (without bio-stimulators and fertilizer application).RESULTS: The bio-stimulators increased dry weight of capitula and leaves, total carbohydrates of leaves and capitula, and flavonoids of capitula in 2011, but they had not significant effect on these traits in respect of suitable ecological condition in 2012.In 2011 and 2012, the most total dry weight (161.26 and 165.81 g.m -2 , respectively) and total flavonoids of leaves (0.10 and 0.12%, respectively) were obtained in 1.5 L.ha -1 humiforte.In other way, the content of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mnand Ca was increased with application of bio-stimulators.CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of 1.5 L.ha -1 Humiforte and kadostim in respect of morphological traits and 1.5 L.ha -1 fosnutren, aminolforte and kadostim in regard to phytochemical traits were the best treatments which could be due to existence of amino acid compounds and macro-nutrients of N, P and K in their formulations.