Studying reaction of erect marigolds (Tagetes erecta) to oil pollution

The article focuses on studying the reaction of erect marigolds (Tagetes erecta) on oil pollution of the soil and presents the results on germination, shoot length, root length, death of seedlings and morphological changes. The study results were shown using model contaminated soils (concentrations of 2.5 g/kg, 5 g/kg and 7.5 g/kg) in parallel with the control (clean soil). The studies were carried out under equivalent conditions (similar grade of soil, temperature regime, light level, humidity, etc.). It was found that the results of germination in combination with the results of death and morphological changes are most significant for this test object. At low and medium concentrations of oil (2.5 g/kg and 5 g/kg) there is registered an increasing percentage of germination, and at high concentrations (7.5 g/kg) there is a decrease. At concentration of 5 g/kg, along with increasing germination, the subsequent death of seedlings (2%) is observed. And at concentration of 7.5 g/kg, in addition to a decreasing germination, there is registered an increasing death (4%) and specific morphological changes (signs of chlorosis). It was stated that the optimal concentration of contamination is 5 g/kg, at which the percentage of germination increases, the length of the stem grows and the length of the root decreases slightly. At such level of pollution plants are not subject to significant negative changes (death losses are minimal - 1 seedling), which indicates the tolerance and adaptability of this object to certain concentrations and makes it possible to use it in the future as an object of phytoremediation.