117
Density and plant arrangement on Calendula officinalis L. yield
GOMES, H.E.; VIEIRA, M.C.; HEREDIA Z.N.A.
UFGD- DCA, Caixa Postal. 533, 79804-970 Dourados-MS, Brazil. mcvieira @ufgd.edu.br Part of the thesis of
Master in Agronomy of the first author presented to UFMS.
ABSTRACT: Calendula officinalis has healing antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions, among
others. The experiment was carried out at Medicinal Plant Garden – HPM of the Federal University
of Mato Grosso do Sul – UFMS, in Dourados-Mato Grosso do Sul state, from April to December,
2003. The objective was to describe anatomy and to evaluate calendula yield as a function of
density and arrangement of plants. Four populations (60,000; 80,000; 100,000 and 120,000 plants
ha-1) and two arrangements of plants (three and four rows per plot), which corresponded, respectively,
to the following spaces between plants: 33.0; 24.7; 19.8 and 16.5 cm and 44.0; 33.0; 26.5 and
22.0 cm, besides spaces of 36.0 and 27.0 cm between rows, were studied. Treatments were
arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, in a randomized block experimental design, with four
replications. Evaluated characteristics were: plant height, fresh and dried biomass of aerial part of
plants without flowers; number and fresh and dried biomass of capitula; diameter and lenght of
capitula; N, P, and K contents in capitula. Plant heights increase linearly in answer to dates of
evaluation, from 11.22 cm to 41.53 cm since 15 until 105 days after transplant. Maximum yield of
fresh biomass of aerial parts of plants was of 20,037 kg ha-1, under population of 91,037 plants ha1
. Dried biomass was not influenced by treatments and it was in average of 4,532.38 kg ha-1.
Number of capitula decreased with the increase of rows in plot and it increased linearly with the
increase of populations, which were 5.48 millions with 120,000 plants ha-1. Yields of fresh and
dried mass of capitula were not influenced by treatments, which were, in average, of 4,565.88 and
834.50 kg ha-1, respectively. Diameter and height of capitula decreased linearly as a function of
harvest date. In capitula, N contents did not vary with densities neither with plant arrangements
and they were in average of 3.16 dag kg-1. About P, minimun content (0.30 dag kg-1) occured under
80,000 plants ha-1 and average as a function of rows was of 0.92 dag kg-1. K content decreased
linearly wit the increase of densities and average as a function of rows was of 3.5 dag kg-1.
Key words: Asteraceae, medicinal plant, population density, vegetal histology.
RESUMO: Densidade e arranjo vegetal na produção de Calendula officinalis L. A Calendula
officinalis L., Asteraceae possui ação cicatrizante, anti-séptica e antinflamatória, dentre outras.
O experimento foi desenvolvido no Horto de Plantas Medicinais-HPM, da Universidade Federal de
Mato Grosso do Sul - UFMS, em Dourados-MS, no período de abril a dezembro de 2003. O
objetivo foi avaliar a produção da calêndula em função de densidades e arranjos de plantas.
Estudaram-se quatro populações (60.000, 80.000, 100.000 e 120.000 plantas ha-1) e dois arranjos
de plantas (três e quatro fileiras por canteiro), correspondentes, respectivamente, aos seguintes
espaçamentos entre plantas: 33,0; 24,7; 19,8 e 16,5 cm e 44,0; 33,0; 26,5 e 22,0 cm, além dos
36,0 cm e 27,0 cm entre fileiras. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, no
delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As características
avaliadas foram: altura de plantas; biomassa fresca e seca da parte aérea das plantas, sem
flores; número e biomassa fresca e seca dos capítulos florais; diâmetro e comprimento dos
capítulos florais e teores de N, P e K nos capítulos florais. A altura das plantas aumentou
linearmente em resposta às épocas de avaliações, de 11,22 cm para 41,53 cm desde 15 aos 105
dias após o transplante. A produção máxima de biomassa fresca da parte aérea das plantas foi
de 20.037 kg ha-1, sob população de 91.037 plantas ha-1. A biomassa seca não foi influenciada
pelos tratamentos e foi em média de 4.532,38. kg ha-1. O número de capítulos florais diminuiu
com o aumento de fileiras no canteiro e aumentou linearmente com o aumento das populações,
Recebido para publicação em 15/06/2005
Aceito para publicação em 06/09/2006
Rev. Bras. Pl. Med., Botucatu, v.9, n.3, p.117-123, 2007.
118
sendo de 5,48 milhões com 120.000 plantas ha-1. As produções de biomassa fresca e seca dos
capítulos florais não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos, sendo em média de 4.565,88 e
834,50 kg ha-1, respectivamente. O diâmetro e a altura dos capítulos florais diminuíram linearmente
em função da época de colheita. Nos capítulos florais, os teores de N não variaram com as
densidades nem com os arranjos de plantas e foram em média de 3,16 dag kg-1. No caso do P,
o teor mínimo (0,30 dag kg-1), ocorreu sob 80.000 plantas ha-1 e a média em função de fileiras foi
de 0,92 dag kg-1. O teor de K diminuiu linearmente com o aumento das densidades e a média em
função de fileiras foi de 3,5 dag kg-1.
Palavras-chave: Asteraceae, planta medicinal, densidade populacional, histologia vegetal
INTRODUÇÃO
Calendula ( Calendula officinalis L.,
Asteraceae) is from Canary Island and Mediterranean
region. It is known by “malmequer”, “malmequer-dosjardins”, “maravilha-dos-jardins” and pot marigold. The
common name is derived from “calendae” in Latin,
which means the first day of the month (Sigedar et
al., 1991; Font Quer, 1993). It is one of the main
medicinal plants in Brazil, with a great demand by
pharmaceutical industry, besides its sanction as
phyto-therapeutical medicine by National Agency of
Sanitary Vigilance – ANVISA (Anvisa, 2003). It is
included in phytotherapy project implanted by Single
System of Health in all country.
The parts used as therapeutical can be leaves
and capitula. Capitula extract had been used in
phytotherapical and cosmetic formulations due to its
proved anti-inflammatory and cicatrizing action. That
plant has ethereal oil, coloring from carotene family,
bitter substances, salicylic acid, mucilagenous,
essential oil (0.2% to 0.3%), flavonoids and cumarines.
Mucilagen has cicatrizing action, anti-inflammatory,
laxative, expectorant and antispasmodic; flavonoids
are anti-inflammatories, help to strengthening capilary
vessels, are anti-esclerosis, anti-edematous, dilators
of coronaries, spasmolytics, anti-hepatotoxics,
colerics and anti-microbial, while essential oils are
bactericides, antiviral, cicatrizants, analgesics,
relaxants, expectorant and antispasmodic (Della
Loggia et al., 1991; Font Quer, 1993; Venikar &
Jandge, 1993; Della Loggia et al., 1994; Teske &
Trentine, 1995; Zitterl-Eglseer et al., 1997; Panizza,
1997; Martins et al., 2000).
That plant is herbaceous, annual, erect,
ramified, 30-60 cm height and with annual flowering
(Roig, 1974; Hoehne, 1978; Muñoz, 1987; Sigedar et
al., 1991; Font Quer, 1993). Concerning its cultivation,
it is necessary agronomic informations that allows
the maximizing processes of vegetable biomass
production, keeping or increasing contents of
interesting substances (Reis & Mariot, 2001). It
develops well under plain sun and it was established
that is a plant of facultative long day and annual
flowering (Zimmer, 1989; Font Quer, 1993). Yamaguti
& Aoyama (2002) observed that seeds are considered
positive photo-blasted. The best temperature for
germination is between 18 and 24°C, and for the rest
of stages it can be superior (Muñoz, 1987). It can be
sowed in rainy season or in mild weather (Martins et
al., 2000).
Plant density affects greatly yield because
the competition for water, light and nutrients, density
planting promotes reduction of yield capacity of plants,
which occurs in high or small level on yield of different
species (Taiz & Zeiger, 2004). For calendula
cultivation, Luz et al. (2001) recommend spaces
between plants from 35 to 45 cm for density of 63.200
plants ha-1; Martins et al. (2000) recommend 25 x 50
cm and Sartório et al. (2000) recommend 20 x 30
cm. In a work carried out by Churata-Masca et al.
(1996), it was verified that the highest yield of dried
capitula of calendula (100.2 and 92.7 g m-2) were
obtained with the use of 10 to 30 cm between plants
and 40 cm between rows, compared with the smallest
yields (66.8 and 60.1 g m-2), under 40 and 50 cm
between plants. Scalon et al. (2001) when studied
calendula growth under spaces of 30 cm between
plants and 36 cm between rows, noticed that plant
heights, leaf area and fresh and dried biomass of aerial
parts and capitula grew linearly in days after transplant,
which maxima were 21.4 cm, 1711.5 cm2, 164.3 g
plant-1 and 26.9 g plant-1, respectively. First capitula
were harvested on 40 days after transplant, which
average dried mass per capitula (0.12g) was similar
among harvest dates.
The objective of this work was to evaluate
calendula yield as a function of densities and
arrangement of plants in environment conditions of
Dourados – MS.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
The work was carried out at Medicinal Plant
Garden-MPG of the Federal Universty of Mato Grosso
do Sul - UFMS, in Dourados - Mato Grosso do Sul
Rev. Bras. Pl. Med., Botucatu, v.9, n.3, p.117-123, 2007.
119
state, Brazil, in the period of April to December, 2003.
Dourados city has as geographic coordinates
22°13’16” of South Latitude and 54°17’01” of West
Longitude. The altitude of the region is 452 m and
weather is classified as humid mesothermic- Cwa
(Mato Grosso do Sul, 1990), with precipitations and
annual average temperatures of 1500 mm and 22°C,
respectively. Topography of studied local is plain and
soil, which was originally under scrub vegetation, is
classified as Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, clay
texture (Embrapa, 1999), with the following chemical
compound: pH in water (1:2,5): 5.8; Al+3, K, Mg and
Ca (mmolC dm-3): 1.2; 4.2; 18.6 and 40.7; P (mg dm3
): 17.0; base sum: 63.5 mmolc.dm-3; capacity of cation
exchange: 125.5 mmolC dm-3 and base saturation:
50.0% and organic matter (g kg-1): 28.0.
Calendula officinallis L. was studied, and
identified by Dra Maria do Carmo Vieira which
exsiccate was deposited under number 219 in DDMS
herbary, in Dourados-MS. Treatments were constituted
of four densities (60,000; 80,000; 100,000 and
120,000 plants ha-1) and of two plant arrangement
(three and four rows per plot), which corresponded,
respectively, to the following spaces between plants:
33.0; 24.7; 19.8 and 16.5 cm and 44.0; 33.0; 26.5
and 22.0 cm. Arrangement was 4 x 2 factorial scheme
in a randomized block experimental design with four
replications. Each plot had total area of 2.70 m2 (1.5
m wide and 1.80 m length) and useful area compounds
of a plot with 1.944 m2 (1.08 m wide and 1.80 m
length). Spaces between rows were 36.0 cm and 27.0
cm, respectively, for three and four rows per plot.
Calendula propagation began on April 28th,
2003, by indirect sowing, which was done in plastic
drinking vessel under shadow, under environment
temperature conditions. Seeds used in the experiment
were obtained from plants which were cultivated before
at MPG. The area for cultivation were prepared with
tractor, on which ploughing and harrowing were
performed, and after that, plots were rose with a
rototiller. Transplant to definitive place was done on
25 days after sowing, when sprouts showed about 10
cm height. Control of weeds was done with the use of
hoe. Irrigations were done by sprinkle system, when
necessary; no incidence of diseases was noticed.
The heigth height were measured during
cultivation cycle, at intervals of 10 days, between 15
and 105 days after transplant (DAT). Capitula of ligulate
flowers in horizontal position were harvested cutting
near peduncle, in the morning, at intervals of seven or
eight days, since 60 to 135 days after transplant when
their fresh and dried biomass were evaluated. On five
dates (70, 85, 100, 115 and 130 DAT), there were
harvested, at random, ten capitula per plot, and their
diameter and length were measured. On 135 DAT,
when older leaves turn yellow indicating plant
senescence and the end of their life cycle, there were
harvested two plants per plot, which were cut near to
the soil, when fresh and dried biomass of their aerial
parts were evaluated.
N, P and K contents of dried vegetable
material of capitula were determined and the results
were turned into dag kg-1 (Malavolta et al., 1997).
Averages of plant height data were adjusted
to regression equations as a function of densities and
plant arrangements and of the days after transplant.
Production and chemical compound data were
submited to variance analysis. When significance was
detected by F test, averages as a function of number
of rows compared with Tukey test, and as a function
of plant densities they were submited to regression
analysis, up to 5% of probability (Banzato & Kronka,
1989; Ribeiro Júnior, 2001).
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Height of calendula plants and production
Growth in height of calendula plants in answer
to densities and plant arrangement per plot have shown
curves with increasing indexes of growth up to 105
DAT (Figure 1). The little variation as a function of
treatments showed that prevailed standard format –
characteristic of that species (Zhukova et al., 1996).
It was observed that flowering phase, which began 45
days after transplant, favoured the increase of plant’s
height because of the emission of flowering scapes,
which were characteristic of that species that presents
rosette form (Ferri, 1986).
Fresh biomass production of aerial parts of
calendula plants, after the last harvest of capitula,
varied significantly with densities (Figure 2), but hqve
not varied with the number of rows of plants per plot
(Table 1). The highest calculated yield was 20,037 kg
ha -1, under 91,077 plants ha -1. Therefore, the
maximization of yield depends on plant density, yield
system, and on proper spatial distribution of plants
on area (Taiz & Zeiger, 2004). On the other hand, dried
biomass production of aerial parts did not vary
significantly with densities (Figure 2) neither with
number of rows (Table 1). Those results can be
compared with the hypothesis that liquid
photosynthetic index of a plant, in vegetative and
reproductive growing phases, had relation with
genotype to which it belongs (Larcher, 2000).
Number of capitula decreased with the
increase of rows in plot and it increased linearly with
the increase of populations, which were 5.48 millions
with 120,000 plants ha-1. Fresh and dried biomass
productions of capitula were not influenced significantly
by densities (Figure 3) neither by number of rows of
plants in plot (Table 2). Considering that there was
linear increase of number of capitula per area as a
function of the increase of plant densities, it was
deduced that yield similar between densities results
Rev. Bras. Pl. Med., Botucatu, v.9, n.3, p.117-123, 2007.
120
FIGURE 1. Growing curves in calendula plant height as a function of days after transplant, density and number of
rows of plants per plot.
ÿ
FIGURE 2. Fresh and dried biomass of aerial parts, without flowers, of calendula plants, as a function of plant
densities
TABLE 1. Fresh and dried biomass of aerial parts of calendula plants, which remains after the last harvest of
capitula as a function of number of rows in plot.
Rev. Bras. Pl. Med., Botucatu, v.9, n.3, p.117-123, 2007.
121
from the fact that capitula had small size. Average
yield of dried capitula (905.18 kg ha-1) was similar to
those obtained by Churata Masca et al. (1996), from
927 kg ha-1 to 1002 kg ha-1.
Unitary fresh biomass of capitula was
influenced significantly by plant densities and number
of rows in plot interaction (Figure 4). By the other
side, dried biomass was not influenced and it was, in
average, 0.17 g capitulum-1. Advantages of very dense
spaces depend on more of genetic potential on flowers
production than of differences on production induced
by spaces per cultivar interaction (Larcher, 2000). That
is because plants can show variable indexes of growth
and morphology with very characteristic modifications
at the end of the vegetative cycle as a reason of
environment factors, but with standard answer, which
is characteristic of that species (Zhukova et al., 1996).
ÿ
ÿ
FIGURE 3. Total fresh and dried biomass (kg ha-1) of calendula plant capitula cultivated under four densities.
TABLE 2. Total fresh and dried biomass (kg ha-1) and unitary dried biomass (g capitulum-1) of calendula capitula
under three or four rows of plants in plot.
Rev. Bras. Pl. Med., Botucatu, v.9, n.3, p.117-123, 2007.
122
ÿ
ÿ
ÿ
FIGURE 4. Unitary fresh biomass (g capitulum-1) of calendula plant capitula cultivated under four densities and
three or four rows of plants in plot.
N, P and K content in capitula
In capitula, N contents did not vary with
densities neither with plant arrangements and they
were in average 3.16 dag kg. Regarding P, minimum
content (0.30 dag kg-1) occurred under 80,000 plants
ha-1 and average as a function of rows was 0.92 dag
kg-1. K content decreased linearly with the increase
of densities and average as a function of rows was
3.5 dag kg-1.
CONCLUSION
Plant heights grew in general linearly during
calendula culture cycle, but did not vary between
treatments.
Number of capitula increased linearly with the
increase of densities and reduced with the increase
of rows of plants.
In order to obtain a great number of capitula,
it is recommended to use 120,000 plants ha-1 and
three rows of plants in plot.
Size of capitula did not vary with treatments,
but it reduced during culture cycle.
N, P and K contents in capitula did not vary
with used treatments.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Financial support for this research was
provided by CNPq (Conselho Nacional de
Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) and
FUNDECT-MS (Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento
do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia de MS).
REFERENCE
ANVISA. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária –
ANVISA, 2000-2003: Legislação e resoluções.
Disponível em: < http://www. Anvis.gov.Br>. Acesso em:
10 mar. 2003.
BANZATTO, D.A.; KRONKA, S.N. Experimentação
agrícola. Jaboticabal: FUNEP, 1989. 247p.
BERTONI, B.W. Propagação clonal e gâmica de
Calendula officinalis L.1999. 77p. Dissertação
(Mestrado em Agronomia)-Universidade Estadual
Paulista, Jaboticabal.
CHURATA-MASCA, M.G.C. et al. Efeito de densidades de
população no crescimento e na produção de sementes
de Calêndula. Horticultura Brasileira, v.14, n.1, p.82,
1996. (Resumo 86).
DELLA LOGGIA, R. et al. The role of triterpenoides in the
topical inflamatory activity of Calendula officinalis flowers.
Planta Medica, v.60, n.6, p.516-20, 1994.
DELLA LOGGIA, R. et al. Anti-inflamatory activity of
calendula seed oil, rich in w-6 fatty acids. Planta Medica,
v.57, n.8, p.49, 1991.
EMBRAPA. Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Solos.
Sistema brasileiro de classificação de solos. Embrapa
Produção de Informações. Rio de Janeiro: Embrapa
Rev. Bras. Pl. Med., Botucatu, v.9, n.3, p.117-123, 2007.
123
Solo, 1999. 412p.
ESAU, K. Anatomia vegetal. 3.ed. Barcelona: OMEGA,
1985. 779p.
FAHN, A. Anatomia vegetal. Madrid: Ediciones Pirámide,
S.A., 1985. 599p.
FERRI, M.G. Fisiologia vegetal. São Paulo: Pedagógica
e Universitária Ltda, 1986. v.1, 401p.
FONT QUER, P. Plantas medicinales: el dioscórides
renovado. Barcelona: Editora Labor S.A., 1993.Tomo II,
p.251-637.
HOEHNE, F.C. Plantas e substâncias vegetais tóxicas
e medicinais. 2.ed. São Paulo: Novo Horizonte, 1978.
355p.
LARCHER, W. Ecofisiologia vegetal. São Carlos: RimaArtes e Textos, 2000. 531p.
LUZ, L. A. de la; FERRADÁ, C.R.; GOVÍN, E.S. Instructivo
técnico de Calendula officinalis. Revista Cubana de
Plantas Medicinales, v.1, p.23-27, 2001.
MALAVOLTA, E.; VITTI, C.G.; OLIVEIRA, S.A. Avaliação do
estado nutricional das plantas: princípios e aplicações.
Piracicaba: Potafós, 1997. 319p.
MARTINS, E.R. et al. Plantas medicinais. Viçosa: UFV,
2000. 220p.
MATO GROSSO DO SUL. Secretaria do Planejamento e
Coordenação Geral. Atlas Multireferencial. Campo
Grande, 1990. p.28.
MUÑOZ, F. Plantas medicinales y aromáticas: estudio,
cultivo y procesado. Madrid: Editorial Mundi-Prensa,
1987. 65p.
PANIZZA, S. Plantas que curam: cheiro de mato. 2.ed.
São Paulo: IBRASA, 1997. 279p.
REIS, M.S.; MARIOT, A. Diversidade natural e aspectos
agronômicos de plantas medicinais. In: SIMÃO, C.M.O.
et al. (Org.). Farmacognosia: da planta ao medicamento.
2.ed. Rev. Porto Alegre: Ed. UFRGS, 2001. p.39-60.
RIBEIRO JÚNIOR, J.I. Análise estatísticas no SAEG.
Viçosa: UFV, 2001. 301p.
ROIG, J.T. Plantas medicinales, aromáticas o
venenosas de Cuba. La Habana: Editorial Ciencia y
Técnica, 1974. 939p.
SARTÓRIO, M.L. et al. Cultivo orgânico de plantas
medicinais. Viçosa: Aprenda Fácil, 2000. 260p.
SCALON, S.P.Q.; VIEIRA, M.C.; BERTOLINO, A.Z. Análise
de crescimento de Calendula officinalis L. em DouradosMS. In: JORNADA PAULISTA DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS:
NATUREZA, CIÊNCIA E COMUNIDADE, 5., Botucatu,
2001. Anais... Botucatu. UNESP, 2001. p.71.
SIGEDAR, P.D.; ANSEWADEKAR, K.W.; RODGER, B.M.
Effect of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium on growth and yield of Calendula officinalis
L. South Indian Horticulture, v.39, n.4, p.308-11, 1991.
TAIZ, L.; ZEIGER, E. Fisiologia vegetal. Porto Alegre:
Artmed Editora S.A., 2004. 720p.
TESKE, M.; TRENTINE, A.M. Compêndio de fitoterapia.
Curitiba: Ingra., 1995. p.66-8.
VENIKAR, A.D.; JANDGE, C.R. Antimicrobial activity of
Calendula officinalis L. Indian Journal of Indigenous
Medicines, v.9, n.1-2, p.41-4, 1993.
YAMAGUTI, D.R.; AOYAMA, E.M. Efeito da luz na
germinação de sementes de calêndula (Calendula
officinalis L.). Disponível em: <http:// www.unitau.br>
Acesso em: abr. 2002.
ZHUKOVA, L.A.; VOSRESENSKAYA, L.; GROSHEVA, N.P.
Morphological and phsiological characteristics of
ontogenesis in pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)
plants grown at various densities. Russian Journal of
Ecology, v.27, n.2, p.100- 6, 1996.
ZIMMER, K. Photoperiodic reactions of summer cut flower.
Deutscher Gartembau, v.43, n.28, p.1719-21, 1989.
ZITTERL-EGLSEER, K. et al. Antioedematous activitics
of the main triterpendiol esters of marigold (Calendula
officinalis L.). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, v.57, n.2,
p.139-44, 1997.
Rev. Bras. Pl. Med., Botucatu, v.9, n.3, p.117-123, 2007.