EFFECT OF ALUMINUM ON GROWTH AND CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION OF MARIGOLDS

Marigold (Tagetes erecta L. cv. 'Discovery Yellow', 'Perfection Yellow ', 'Inca Yellow', and 'Merrymum Yellow') were grown in aluminum (Al) s olution culture concentrations of 0, 1, or 4 mg/L. Aluminum increased root length and weight, but had no effect on stem and leaf weight. Upt ake and stem and leaf tissue nutrient concentration of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were reduced by the Al treatments. T he Al treatments increased stem and leaf concentrations of potassium ( K) and decreased the concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copp er (Cu), and zinc (Zn). No typical Al-toxicity symptoms were observed in the roots. Root stunting caused by Fe toxicity was alleviated by th e Al treatments.