The effect of trace elements on the amount of above-ground mass of calendula officinalis (calendula officinalis L.) and the content of ascorbic acid and pigments in it

Under the conditions of a vegetation experiment, the effect of 6 mineral elements (Mn, Mg, Al, S, Cu, Na) and in what dosage on the growth and content of ascorbic acid and pigments in the biomass of calendula officinalis was studied. Of the five mineral elements (manganese, aluminum, magnesium, sodium, and sulfur) introduced at a dose of 80 kg/ha, the largest above-ground mass of calendula was obtained from manganese, and the smallest from sulfur. Manganese, aluminum, and magnesium had a beneficial effect on the biomass of Calendula officinalis at a dose of 80 kg dw/ha, and increasing the doses of these mineral elements to 240 kg dw/ha did not increase the biomass. Of the four mineral elements introduced at a dose of 240 kg/ha (manganese, aluminum, magnesium, and copper), the largest above-ground mass of calendula was obtained from magnesium and copper. Of the five mineral elements (manganese, aluminum, magnesium, sodium, and sulfur) introduced at a dose of 80 kg/ha, the highest content of ascorbic acid in calendula biomass was obtained from manganese, and the lowest from aluminum and sulfur. Of the four mineral elements (manganese, aluminum, magnesium, and copper) introduced at a dose of 240 kg/ha, the highest concentration of vitamin C in calendula biomass was obtained from magnesium. At a dose of 80 kg dw/ha of manganese, aluminum and magnesium, the amount of ascorbic acid in the aboveground biomass of calendula is higher or the same as at a dose of 240 kg dw/ha. Of the five mineral elements (manganese, aluminum, magnesium, sodium, and sulfur) introduced at a dose of 80 kg/ha, the highest content of chlorophyll A, B, carotenoids, and all pigments in the aboveground biomass of calendula was obtained from manganese and sulfur, and the lowest from aluminum. Manganese, aluminum, and magnesium applied at a dose of 240 kg dw/ha gave a significant increase in the content of chlorophyll A, B, carotenoids, and the amount of pigments in the leaves compared with a dose of 80 kg dw/ha. Of the four mineral elements (manganese, aluminum, magnesium, and copper) introduced at a dose of 240 kg/ha, the highest concentration of chlorophyll A, B, carotenoids, and the sum of pigments in calendula biomass was obtained from copper and magnesium, and the lowest from manganese and aluminum. The most sought-after mineral element studied for Calendula officinalis turned out to be manganese. Keywords: MEDICINAL PLANTS, BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES, VEGETATION EXPERIENCE, MICROELEMENTS