Preliminary results regarding the seed yield of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) plants harvested at different stages of seed maturity

Abstract During the study, the characteristics of flower heads and seed yield of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) plants harvested at different stages of seed maturity (achenes from different types of heads – primary, secondary, and tertiary ramifications) were measured. The number of total flower heads (inflorescences), heads with mature seeds, and the diameter of heads with mature seeds and weight of seeds of the above mentioned fractions per plant were calculated. The results show that there are significant differences among treatments regarding several parameters. The plants were harvested when 90% of the heads formed on the primary ramifications and 75% of the heads formed on the secondary ramifications, having mature seeds superior to plants with 50% of the secondary heads with mature seeds.