Phytotoxicity level and accumulation ability of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) to zinc

The study aims to reveal the effects of different Zn levels on pot marigold. We determined some germination and young seedling properties in the first experiment, and morphological, stomatal, and physiological parameters besides uptake profiles of both Zn and other plant nutrients in the second one. We supplied the water requirement of the seeds with Zn solutions (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 mg l(-1)) in the first experiment, and We added the same zinc doses as mg kg(-1) to the soil of the pots where the plants would grow in the second one. As a result, the inhibitory effects were more prominent in the early seedling stage (especially at 1,000 mg l(-1) Zn) than in the germination one. We determined plant growth retardation, decreases in leaf water contents, and increases in membrane damages with higher Zn (>= 500 mg kg(-1)) in the experiment conducted by potting soil. We detected decreases in chlorophyll parameters parallel with the increases in Zn. The alterations in plant zinc contents revealed the accumulation capacity of pot marigold in potting conditions. That TF value >1 in Zn treatments up to 500 mg kg(-1) points to the efficiency limit of pot marigold as a Zn-accumulator plant. NOVELTY STATEMENTTo reveal the zinc tolerance of the plant through experiments carried out in two different plant growth stages, germination-young seedling and adult plant is an innovative approach. Besides, it is the first study to evaluate detailed morphological, physiological, stomatal and nutrient contents of pot marigold under heavy metal stress conditions. Thus, this study displayed both tolerance level and accumulation potential in potting conditions of pot-marigold to zinc.