Domestication of wild marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) as a potential economic crop in Western Himalaya and North Indian Plains

Tagetes minuta L., syn. T glandulifera Schrank grows wild in western Himalaya and is one of the important source of essential oils. The crop has been domesticated by our Institute not only in sub-temperate but also in subtropical zones and farmers have opted Tagetes minuta as an essential oil crop in their cropping system. Four cropping systems have been evolved based on variable sowing and harvesting times yielding varying quality of essential oil. All the four crop practices can be practised in sub-temperate regions while one crop practice is recommended for subtropical regions. Tagetes oil contains three major constituents of monoterpene ketones namely ocimenones E&Z, tagetones E&Z and dihydrotagetone and a hydrocarbon ocimene which are important base materials for synthesizing new aroma molecules. Tagetes oil of desired constituents can be produced by adopting selective crop practice based on experimental findings of present investigation. Ocimene rich crop can be harvested in winter (December-January), dihydrotagetone rich crop in autumn (October-November), tagetone rich crop in summer (June) and ocimenone rich crop can be harvested in short duration autumn-winter (December-January) and summer crops.