Nitrogen Nutrition Differentially Affects Concentrations of Photosynthetic Pigments and Antioxidant Compounds in Mexican Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Nitrogen is a major plant macronutrient and its supply affects the entire metabolism of plants. This study evaluated effect different nitrogen concentrations in nutrient solution: 0, 4.2, 8.4, 12.6 mg L?1 Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) var. Inca plants an open soilless culture system under greenhouse conditions on concentration chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids derived from secondary metabolism, as well antioxidant activity tissues. With N dose, chlorophylls a, b, total chlorophyll increased by 98.8, 11.9, 56.6%, respectively. The highest carotenoids flowers, 28–30%, were recorded with doses 8.4 L?1. L?1, phenolic compounds leaves, but decreased flowers. low medium respect to control without 53% 50.2%, We conclude that applications Tagetes differentially affected photosynthetic pigments biomolecules capacity, such effects dependent tested organ evaluated.