KUPANG — The strategic application of appropriate organic growing media has been proven as a definitive factor in increasing the productivity of horticultural crops in arid regions. A recent study conducted by Tri Luchi Proklamita and Laurensius Lehar from the State Agricultural Polytechnic of Kupang in 2026 highlights an effective approach to accelerate the growth and yield of marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta L.). This scientific evaluation delivers practical solutions for floriculture farmers operating in tropical territories who frequently encounter low soil fertility and poor water efficiency.
Marigolds hold substantial economic value within global and local agricultural landscapes. Beyond their visual appeal for urban landscaping, natural pest management, and raw materials for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors, these vibrant flowers are deeply integrated into various cultural and religious ceremonies. The expanding market demand requires specific cultivation techniques that can optimize flower quality and biomass yield while maintaining ecological sustainability by minimizing synthetic chemical fertilizers.
The primary barrier to crop cultivation in tropical drylands is the local soil profile, which is generally characterized by deficient organic carbon, weak aggregate stability, and extremely low water retention capacities. Such harsh rhizosphere environments often impede root growth and nutrient delivery during critical plant vegetative stages. To bypass these environmental limitations, utilizing agricultural and animal waste products as organic soil amendments represents an accessible and sustainable alternative.
To evaluate the efficiency of various growth substrates, the research team from the State Agricultural Polytechnic of Kupang set up a controlled field experiment in Lasiana Subdistrict, Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara. The field layout utilized a randomized complete block design testing nine distinct substrate combinations. The researchers mixed native Vertisol topsoil with different organic and inorganic materials at a fixed ratio, withholding any extra chemical fertilizers throughout the trial to isolate the precise effects of the growing media.
Based on the accumulated data analysis, the growing medium formulation combining topsoil with composted cow dung outperformed all other experimental groups. Marigolds raised in this specific substrate exhibited superior vegetative traits, reaching an average plant height of 81.54 centimeters and a stem diameter of 1.20 millimeters by the fifth week after planting. This early vegetative vigor directly correlated with enhanced floral productivity during the harvesting stage.
The soil and cow dung compost formulation successfully produced an average of 14.44 flowers per plant. The physical attributes of the blooms were notably robust, showcasing an average flower diameter of 71.85 millimeters and a fresh flower weight of 21.89 grams. These operational metrics far exceeded the control plants grown in plain soil or alternative mixes containing sawdust and rice husk ash.
The absolute performance of mature cow dung compost is tied to its chemical characteristics, notably its high organic carbon content and balanced pH level. Composted manure enhances the physical framework of the root zone, maximizes water holding parameters, and provides a steady release of essential macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This optimized root environment drives higher leaf photosynthetic performance, allowing the plant to allocate substantial energy toward generating larger and heavier flowers.
While other growth media variations like broiler chicken bokashi and coconut shell biochar showed moderate improvements, their structural impacts remained lower and lacked the consistency displayed by the cow dung compost. Biochar serves well for long-term carbon stabilization in soil systems, but its immediate capacity to supply active nutrients to feeding roots is low unless combined with other nutrient-dense organic components.
The real-world applications of this published research offer useful operational guidelines for both small-scale nurseries and commercial flower operations in dry tropical zones. Utilizing cow dung compost as a primary substrate component for container or polybag production stands out as an affordable, reproducible, and eco-friendly strategy to enhance the aesthetic and market value of marigolds. Capitalizing on locally sourced organic inputs can lower production overheads for farmers while driving circular agricultural practices.
Author Profile:
Tri Luchi Proklamita is a researcher at the State Agricultural Polytechnic of Kupang.
Laurensius Lehar is a researcher at the State Agricultural Polytechnic of Kupang.
Research Source:
The Effect of Growing Media on the Growth and Yield of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.), East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i5.118
URL: https://journaleajmr.my.id/index.php/eajmr
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