The present study aimed to investigate the effect of application of organic fertilizers on the yield of medicinal plant, CALENDULA (CALENDULA officinalis L.). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications in the research farm of Zanjan University. Treatments included cattle manure, poultry manure, and vermicompost, each at three levels (5, 10, and 15 tons per hectare) and control (without fertilizer). The measured traits were the thousand seed weight, number of capitules per plant, leaf area, plant height, petal dry weight, capitule diameter, chlorophyll content index, flavonoids, carotenoids, and essential oil percentage. Data were analyzed by SAS software, and mean comparisons was performed by Duncan's test. The results showed significant effects of fertilizer on thousand seed weight, capitule number per plant, leaf area, carotenoids, and essential oil percentage at p£0.01, and plant height, petal dry weight, and flavonoid at p£0.05. The type of fertilizer had no significant effect on capitule diameter and leaf chlorophyll content. Overall, the results showed that using organic fertilizers had favorable impact on yield, growth characteristics, and active ingredients content of CALENDULA.

A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of foliage spraying of silicon (Si) on growth and ornamental characteristics of CALENDULA grown under salt stress and greenhouse conditions. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design was conducted with 3 levels of Si (0, 50 and 100 mg/l) and 3 levels of NaCl (0, 100 and 200 mM) with 4 replications. At flowering stage, Si was applied with spraying two times in two week intervals. NaCl was also applied as drench (200 ml per pot) in two days interval. The results showed that salinity decreased the growth, SPAD values, flower number per plant and flower diameter. However, foliar applications of Si resulted in greater root, shoot and total dry weight, plant height and leaf area of CALENDULA plants under salt stress. The highest SPAD values were obtained under 100 mg/l Si application in all NaCl treatments. Salinity decreased number of flower per plant and flower diameter as ornamental characteristics; however Si increased them under salinity stress. Plants treated with 100 mg/l Si had the highest flower diameter at 100 mM of NaCl. Electrolyte leakage increased by salinity, however foliar application of Si significantly reduced electrolyte leakage under salt stress. These results suggest that the negative effects of salinity on the growth and ornamental characteristics of CALENDULA plants can ameliorate by foliar application of Si treatments.

Application of Mycorrhizal Fungi (MF) and biochar can increase water and nutrient uptake in the rooting zone and thus improve crop production. A factorial experiment with completely randomized design with three replications was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar (0, 2 and 4% w/w) and MF (non-inoculation and inoculation with MF) on the morphophysiological characteristics and concentration of elements in CALENDULA (CALENDULA officinalis L. ) in greenhouse condition. The biochar was passed through a sieve of 2 mm and mixed with soil. The application of mycorrhizal fungi was done by direct contact with the root of plant. After six months, the morphophysiological characteristics and the concentration of some macro and micro elements in shoot were measured. The results showed that with simultaneous application of 4% biochar and mycorrhizal fungi increased chlorophyll, flower diameter, plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, plant dry weight and concentration of P, K, Ca and Fe compared to control, significantly. Zn concentration increased in 4% biochar treatment and simultaneous use of 4% biochar and mycorrhizal fungui compared to the control significantly (13. 7 and 19. 5% respectively). The application of 4% biochar caused a significant increase in Mn concentration compared to the control (91. 3 against 86. 6 mg. kg-1), while the application of 2% biochar has not a significant difference with control and 4% biochar treatments. The results of the effect of adding biohar to soil after plant growth period showed that available K, Ca, Mg and Mn increased with addition of 4% biochar by 22. 2, 18. 2, 43. 6 and 15. 2%, respectively. However, 2% biochar treatment had no significant effect on these soil parameters compared to control. It seems that application of these materials can improve availability of nutrients and plant growth parameters by improving plant growth conditions and affect crop production...

In order to investigate the effects of salicylic acid on some growth and stomatal characteristics of CALENDULA plant, a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with five replications in the research Greenhouse of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2013. Salt stress levels including 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 mmhos/cm were applied to the soil and salicylic acid solutions with 0, 100 and 200 mg/lit concentration were sprayed on plants. Results showed that both salt stress and salicylic acid reduced length and width of stomata. Compared to the control conditions, highest level of salt stress reduced plant shoot and root dry matter and also relative water content to 51, 58 and 24 percent, respectively. However, application of salicylic acid improved all these characteristics at all applied levels of salt stress. Compared to the control conditions, application of 200 mg/lit solution of salicylic acid increased plant shoot and root dry matter (24 and 28%), respectively. Meanwhile, 100 mg/lit salicylic acid solution increased the relative water content (9%) compared to the control.

 The effects of water deficit stress and nitrogen on yield physiological indices of CALENDULA (CALENDULA officinalis L.), the experiment were carried out in a split plot design based on completely randomized block design with 4 replications. Treatments were three levels of stress and irrigation after 40, 80 and 120mm water evaporation from evaporation pan, and consumption of 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha nitrogen. The results indicated that water deficit stress had significant effect on harvest index 50% flowering, flower weight to plant ratio 50% flowering, productivity effort 50% flowering, harvest index 100% flowering, productivity effort 100% flowering, harvest index 100% second flowering, flower weight to plant ratio 100% second flowering, productivity effort 100% second flowering, harvest index, flower weight to plant ratio, productivity effort. The highest harvest index (18.85), flower weight to plant ratio (13.15) and productivity effort (21.26) with irrigation after 40 mm evaporation. Nitrogen had signification effect on harvest index 50% flowering, flower weight to plant ratio 50% flowering , productivity effort 50% flowering, harvest index 100% flowering, productivity effort 100% flowering, harvest index 100% second flowering, flower weight to plant ratio 100% second flowering , productivity effort 100% second flowering, harvest index, flower weight to plant ratio, productivity effort. In water deficit stress nitrogen had significant effect on flower weight to plant ratio 100% flowering. The results indicated that the best time for harvest in CALENDULA is when 100 percent flowering irrigation after 40 mm evaporation and 90 kg/ha nitrogen. Also the best time for seed harvest in the last stage is irrigation after 40 mm evaporation and 90 kg/ha nitrogen.

The effects of water deficit stress and nitrogen were studied on yield and vegetative characteristics of CALENDULA (CALENDULA officinalis L.). An experiment was conducted at Research Field of Islamic Azad University of Takestan branch in 2006. Field experiment was carried out by a split plot design based on completely randomized block design with 4 replications. treatments were three levels of stress as irrigation after 40, 80 and 120 mm water evaporation from evaporation pan, and consumption of 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha nitrogen. The results indicated that water deficit stress had significant effect on plant and main stem height, number of lateral stem, flower weight to plant dry ratio, petal weight to flower dry ratio and flower yield (p£0.01). The plants had the highest main stem height, number of lateral stem, flower weight to plant dry ratio, petal weight to flower dry ratio and flower yield (2406 kg/ha) when irrigation after 40 mm evaporation from pan class A. Nitrogen had significant effect on plant and main stem height, number of lateral stem and flower yield. The highest plant height, main stem height, number of lateral stem and flower yield (1546kg/ha) were got by applying of 90 kg/ha nitrogen. Irrigation and nitrogen interactions effect were significant in lateral stem number and flower yield. It seems, applying of Nitrogen fertilization had not significant effect on morphological characteristics on CALENDULA in water deficit stress.

The effects of water deficit stress and fertilizer manure and nitrogen were studied on yield and physiological characteristics of CALENDULA (CALENDULA officinalis L.). An experiment was conducted at Research Field of Islamic Azad University of Takestan branch in 2010. Field experiment was carried out by a split plot design based on completely randomized block design with 4 replications. treatments were three levels of stress as irrigation after 40, 80 and 120 mm water evaporation from evaporation pan, and consumption of 90 kg/ha nitrogen, 75% N and 10 ton/ha fertilizer manure, 50% N and 20 ton/ha fertilizer manure, 25% N and 30 ton/ha fertilizer manure, 40 ton/ha fertilizer manure. The results indicated that water deficit stress had significant effect on diameter flower, plant height, biologic yield, flower yield and productivity effort. The highest biologic yield to 7416 kg/ha and productivity effort to 26.44 percent when irrigation after 40 mm evaporation from pan class A. Application fertilizer manure and nitrogen had significant effect on biologic yield, flower yield and productivity effort. The highest biologic yield, flower yield and productivity effort application 40 ton/ha fertilizer manure. Irrigation and application fertilizer manure and nitrogen interactions effect were significant in flower yield. The highest flower yield when irrigation after 40 mm evaporation from pan class A and application 40 ton/ha fertilizer manure. It seems, applying of Nitrogen fertilization had not significant effect on physiological characteristics on CALENDULA in water deficit stress.

The effects of water deficit stress and nitrogen were studied on the Growth and Quality Yield of CALENDULA (CALENDULA officinalis L.). An experiment was conducted at Research Field of Islamic Azad University of Takestan branch in 2006. Field experiment was carried out by a split plot design based on completely randomized block design with 4 replications. treatments were three levels of stress as irrigation after 40, 80 and 120 mm water evaporation from evaporation pan, and consumption of 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha nitrogen. The results indicated that water deficit stress had significant effect on biological yield (50% flowering), biological yield100% flowering), biological yield100% flowering second) and biological yieldend flowering) (p£0.01). The highest biological yield100% flowering second) 9929 kg.ha-1 was observed with irrigation after 40 mm evaporation. Nitrogen had signification effect on biological yield (50% flowering), biological yield (100% flowering), biological yield (100% flowering second) and biological yield (end flowering) (p£0.01) .The highest biological yield (100% flowering second) 7350 kg.ha-1 were observed by applying of 90 kg.ha-1 nitrogen. Water deficit stress* nitrogen had significant effect on biological yield (50% flowering), biological yield (100% flowering) and biological yield (end flowering) (p£0.05). However, the highest TDM and CGR were obtained with 2319 and 1993 GDD and 40 mm water evaporation from evaporation pan and 90 kg.ha-1 nitrogen. The result growth indices show that an increase in water deficit stress modifies the effect of nitrogen on physiological indices and TDM and CGR graphs are compatible with each other.

The genus CALENDULA belongs to tribe Calenduleae, (Asteraceae family). It morphologically studied for the ongoing project of the flora of Iran. Based on the herbarium studies and field observation, this genus has been revised. The study was based on fresh material from field as well as herbarium specimens. All specimens existed in the herbarium of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands (TARI), herbarium of Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRAN), herbarium of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUMH), Herbarium of Research center of Agricultural and Natural Resources of Fars, were revised. Description of genus and species with key of determination of species is designed. In this search the number of CALENDULA taxa increasing 9 and CALENDULA karakalensis Vass. Is presented as a new record for the flora of Iran also the checklist of accepted species have been prepared.

This study was done to evaluate the effect of different planting arrangements (square, lozenge and rectangular) and various concentrations of potassium sulfate (K2SO4) fertilizer (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha) on yield and essential oils quantitative of CALENDULA officinalis L., a medicinal and ornamental plant. The experiment was done as a factorial in randomized completely blocks design (R.C.B.D.) with 3 replications. The results showed that the plant height, the number of flowers, flowers dry weight, potassium content of aerial part, flower essential oil and carotenoids content in petals were significantly increased. The highest plant height (54.18 cm) was calculated from plants grown under 200 kg/ha K2SO4 and rectangular arrangement. Maximum number of flowers per square meter (727.93), flower dry weight per square meter (140.58 g), potassium content of aerial part (0.9 mg/L), essential oils content per square meter (0.27 g) and carotenoids content in petals (8.24 mg/L) were obtained from plants grown under soil conditions containing 300 kg/ha K2SO4 and with square arrangement. The results of current study recommend using of 300 kg/ha of K2SO4 and square planting arrangement for increasing the yield and essential oils content of CALENDULA.