Functional Conservation and Divergence of Five AP1/FUL-like Genes in Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Members of AP1/FUL subfamily genes play an essential role in the regulation of floral meristem transition, floral organ identity, and fruit ripping. At present, there have been insufficient studies to explain the function of the AP1/FUL-like subfamily genes in Asteraceae. Here, we cloned two euAP1 clade genes TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2, and three euFUL clade genes TeFUL1, TeFUL2, and TeFUL3 from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). Expression profile analysis demonstrated that TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2 were mainly expressed in receptacles, sepals, petals, and ovules. TeFUL1 and TeFUL3 were expressed in flower buds, stems, and leaves, as well as reproductive tissues, while TeFUL2 was mainly expressed in flower buds and vegetative tissues. Overexpression of TeAP1-2 or TeFUL2 in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering, implying that these two genes might regulate the floral transition. Yeast two-hybrid analysis indicated that TeAP1/FUL proteins only interacted with TeSEP proteins to form heterodimers and that TeFUL2 could also form a homodimer. In general, TeAP1-1 and TeAP1-2 might play a conserved role in regulating sepal and petal identity, similar to the functions of MADS-box class A genes, while TeFUL genes might display divergent functions. This study provides a theoretical basis for the study of AP1/FUL-like genes in Asteraceae species.

Effect of Different Levels of Irrigation on Yield and Yield Attributes of Winter Marigold Crop (Tagetes erecta L.)

Agriculture has been indispensable for the subsistence of the people of India in general and farmers in particular. It has naturally been the cornerstone of the Indian economy since time immemorial and agriculture has played a major role in the country's economy since its inception. The research work was done to study the effect of irrigation levels on the yield and growth of winter marigolds. Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) had been taken twice the winter season of 2019-20 and 2020-21. The average flower yield (t/ha) was recorded under the treatment I1 (12.03 t/ha) was found maximum and it was followed by I2 (10.51 t/ha), I3 (9.73 t/ha). The consumptive water use (CWU) was found maximum (26.62 cm) in 100% of ETc and the lowest CWU was found (21.03 cm) in 80% of ETc through a drip system of irrigation in the cropping year 2020-21. Similarly, in 2019-20 CWU was found maximum (18.02 cm) in 100% of ETc, while the lowest CWU was found (14.42 cm) in 80% of ETc. The water use efficiency was found highest in I3 (0.77 t/ha/cm) and minimum WUE was found in I2 (0.525 t/ha/cm) in the cropping year 2019-20. For 2020-21, a maximum WUE was recorded in I2 (0.497 t/ha/cm) and the minimum WUE in I3 (0.335 t/ha/cm).

Effect of Foliar Supplied PGRs on Flower Growth and Antioxidant Activity of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Marigold is one of the commercially exploited flowering crops that belongs to the family Asteraceae. The production of economical yield and better quality of marigold flowers requires proper crop management techniques. Crop regulation is an important technique to make the marigold production profitable. This can be done by adopting application of plant growth regulators (PGRs). The present study was designed to investigate the effect of PGRs on flowering and antioxidant activity of two cultivars of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) viz. “Pusa Narangi Gainda” (hereinafter referred to as Narangi) and “Pusa Basanthi Gainda” (hereafter referred to as Basanthi). Plants were sprayed with abscisic acid (ABA), N-acetyl thiazolidine (NAD), gibberellic acid (GA3), salicylic acid (SA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and oxalic acid (OA) at the concentrations of 100, 150, 250, 300 and 800 mg·L−1, each. Results revealed that the plants treated with 500–600 mg·L−1 IBA exhibited maximum increase in floral diameter (34–51%). The use of 500–550 mg·L−1 IBA exhibited maximal enhancement in flower fresh weight (21–92%). The exogenously applied OA significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved flower dry weight, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents and reducing power ability of marigold plants. Overall, “Narangi” performed better than “Basanthi”, in terms of flowering and antioxidant activity. Conclusively, the results suggest that foliar application of PGRs favors flowering and antioxidant activity of African marigold.

Ethanol Extract of Marigold Flower (Tagetes Erecta L.) Decreases The Total Cholesterol, Low Density Lypoprotein (LDL), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Apoliprotein B (APOB) on Hyperlipidemia Rat Models

This study aimed to determine the effect of ethanol extract of gemitir flower (Tagetes erecta L.) on total cholesterol levels, Low-Density Lipoprotein C (LDL), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB). Forty-eight Rattus norvegicus were randomly divided into 6 groups, groups were given standard feed (K-) and 5 groups of hyperlipidemia models (K +, P1, P2, P3, P4) were given High Fat Diet (HFD) for 35 days. On the 36th day, the total cholesterol levels were checked through the tail of Rattus norvegicus, and from day 37 to day 50 were given a normal diet (K-), HFD (K +), simvastatin 10 mg/kgBW (P1), ethanol extract of gemitir flowers (Tagetes erecta L.) 200 (P2), 400 BW (P3), and 800 mg/kgBW (P4). On day 51, the total cholesterol, LDL-C, MDA, and ApoB blood serum levels were checked. The results showed total cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) given ethanol extract of gemitir flowers 200 and 400 mg/kgBW (P2) had a significant reduction (P < 0.05). Giving ethanol extract of gemitir flower (Tagetes erecta L.) could reduce levels of total cholesterol, LDL, MDA, and Apo B.

Influence of Foliar Application of Glycinebetaine on Tagetes Erecta L Yield Cultivated under Salinity Conditions

Tagetes genus of Composite family consider one of the most favorite floriculture plant. Therefore, of particular interest examine the salt tolerance of this bedding and coloring agent plant. In this research, was report the role of glycinebetaine (GB) in attenuating the adverse impacts of salt stress in African marigold plant, along with their anti-oxidative capacities and biochemical attributes. The salt stressed African marigold (100 and 150 mM NaCl) was treated with GB at 200 mM, beside untreated control plants. According to the obtained results, the growth characters were negatively in salt stressed plants but a mitigate impact of GB were observed in this respect. Obviously, the morphological as well as some physiological characters were reduced with salinity treatments while GB treatment reverses these effects. Overall, the alleviate impact of GB on the negative impact of salt stress was enhanced through improving total phenolic and antioxidant enzyme activity. Further, it is concluded that GB concentration induces the activities of antioxidative enzymes which scavenged ROS increased under saline conditions.