Effect of BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) and Organic Manures on Growth and Flowering of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

Benzylaminopurine Benzylaminopurine (BAP) is a cytokinin plant growth regulator that plays an important role in stimulating cell division, shoot development, and the formation of generative organs, while organic manures improve soil fertility and support sustainable plant growth. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between BAP concentrations and types of manure on the growth and flowering of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.), to determine the optimal BAP concentration, and to identify the most effective type of manure. This study employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement and was conducted from September to December 2025 in Bengkulu, Indonesia. The treatments consisted of two factors: BAP concentration (0, 50, 100, and 150 ppm) and manure type (chicken, cattle, and goat), resulting in 12 treatment combinations. Each treatment was replicated three times, giving a total of 36 experimental units with 108 plants. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the 5% significance level. The results showed that the interaction between BAP concentration and manure type significantly affected all observed variables (P < 0.05), including plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, days to flowering, flower diameter, flower stalk length, and number of flowers. The combination of 50 ppm BAP and chicken manure produced the best performance, with plant height reaching 46.10 cm, number of leaves 38.14, number of branches 2.33, earlier flowering at 45.33 days, flower diameter of 8.20 cm, flower stalk length of 16.80 cm, and the highest number of flowers (6.33). In conclusion, the application of 50 ppm BAP combined with chicken manure is the most effective treatment for improving the growth and flowering of marigold and can be recommended to enhance flower productivity and quality under similar conditions.