Sonali Singh¹ , Abhishek Pokhrel² , Alisha Adhikari²

1 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, 44209, Nepal
2 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, 44209, Nepal
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Horticulture, 2026, Vol. 16, No. 5   doi: 10.5376/ijh.2026.16.0023
Received: 30 Jun., 2026    Accepted: 20 Aug., 2026    Published: 10 Sep., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Singh S., Pokhrel A., and Adhikari A., 2026, Advances in production technology of marigold and gomphrena, International Journal of Horticulture, 16(5): 269-281 (doi: 10.5376/ijh.2026.16.0023)

Tagetes erecta and Gomphrena globosa are important commercial ornamental crops with increasing demand in floriculture, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. Recent advances in production technology have significantly improved their yield, flower quality, stress tolerance, and post-harvest performance. In marigold, major advancements include hybrid seed production through genic and cytoplasmic male sterility systems, triploid breeding, marker-assisted selection, mutation breeding, and tissue culture techniques for rapid multiplication of elite genotypes. Improved cultivation practices such as pinching, precision irrigation, artificial lighting systems, integrated nutrient management, biofertilizer application, and the use of plant growth regulators have enhanced productivity and flower quality. Modern post-harvest technologies, including cold chain management and pigment extraction, have further increased commercial value. Similarly, advancements in gomphrena production technology include improved pinching methods, biofertilizer use, high-density planting, and optimized growing substrates for better growth and yield. Advanced drying and dehydration techniques have improved post-harvest quality and color retention of dried flowers. Molecular characterization and variability studies have supported genetic improvement, while plant growth regulators such as GA₃ and NAA have enhanced flowering, vegetative growth, and flower longevity. Overall, the integration of modern breeding, biotechnology, precision cultivation, and post-harvest management has strengthened sustainable and profitable production of marigold and gomphrena.

Genetic improvement; Hybrid breeding; Micropropagation; Postharvest management; Ornamental horticulture; Sustainable floriculture