Potential of Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) Genotypes As An Oilseed Crop.

The growth of the biofuel industry has increased the demand for oilseed crops, which presents opportunities for untypical plants, such as calendula, to be considered for cultivation.  Because much of the world’s arable lands are salt-affected, crops that are more salt tolerant can be of value.  The objective of this study was to determine tolerance and oilseed potential among genotypes of Calendula officinalis.  Seven genotypes were grown for eight weeks in greenhouses on the campus of Texas A&M University at College Station, TX. The treatment plants were watered with a solution of NaCl in reverse osmosis water once a week from weeks five through eight.  The plants were harvested and biomass measurements were made three days after final treatment application. Though calendula is considered moderately tolerant to salt, there were differences in tolerance among genotypes. Diversity among these calendula genotypes also appears to be sufficient enough to begin development of germplasm well-suited to oilseed cropping systems in Texas.