Crescimento de calêndula e produção de flavonóides em diferentes épocas de semeadura e suprimento hídrico

Abstract

The cultivation of medicinal plants, like marigold, is increasing in Brazil and is an alternative for cultivation in small areas. For this reason it is important to know about its bioclimatic requirements and its phenometric characteristics in order to obtain maximum quality and yield. Thus, the main goals of this work were: evaluate the effect of temperature on Calendula officinalis L. seed germination, testing 15°C, 20°C, 25°C 30°C and 35°C, in the presence and absence of light; determine the phyllochron in three sowing dates (04/06/2005, 06/23/2005 and 10/03/2005); evaluate the effect of the different sowing dates and hydric supply (100%, 85%, 70% and 55% of field capacity) on flower flavonoids and; determine the fresh and dry matter production of the different organs in different sowing dates and when submitted to a 21-day hydric deficient period from flowering on. It was observed that the highest seed germination percentage occurs at the temperature of 20°C, and that temperatures higher than 30°C are harmful to seedlings; sowing dates interfere on the phyllochron and on the number of leaves on both the main and on the first lateral stem; the relation between the thermic sum and plant biomass production is highly significant, the growth of plants being higher in the April and June sowing dates as compared to those of October; water supply in the substratum and the accumulated thermic sum interfere on the growth parameters, the plants submitted to lower water availability in the substratum (55% and 70%), even after rehydration, do not recover fresh and dry matter production along the growing cycle; the best sowing dates for seed production are those of April and June, and for the production of fresh and dry matter of flowers the April date; there is no significant effect of hydric deficiency on flower and seed production parameters; high temperatures cause deleterious effects on growth of plants; Quercetin and Rutin contents on flowers vary along the plant development and with sowing dates, being higher in warmer dates; there is effect of hydric deficiency on plants and; submitted to a hydric supply in the substratum of 55% and 70% of the field capacity at flowering initiation and for a three-week period were favored in the concentration production of Rutin and Quercetin in the flowers.