The effect of different levels of vermicompostand irrigation on morphological properties and essential oil content of German chamomile(Matricaria recutita) C.V. Goral “

Abstract

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita (L.) syn. Chamomilla recutita (L.)<br><br>Rauschert) is one of the most important essential oil bearing plants that<br><br>belong to Asteraceae family. Its essential oil (Chamazulene, Bisabolol and<br><br>Bisabolol oxide A,B) is used in different medicinal industries. In this<br><br>research, effects of different levels of vermin-compost and irrigation<br><br>have been evaluated on morphological characteristics and essential oil<br><br>content of “Goral”, an improved German chamomile. The research has<br><br>been conducted in pot and greenhouse system. The treatments included<br><br>four amounts of vermicompost (0, 5, 10 and 15% w/w) and three irrigation<br><br>regimes (2mm per week, 4mm per 2 weeks and 2mm per 2<br><br>weeks). The studied factors were flower dry yield, plant height, day need<br><br>to flowering time, anthodia height, anthodia diameter, oil content (%)<br><br>and essential oil yield. Vermin-compost application improved plant<br><br>height, early flowering, flowers dry weight, anthodia height and diameter<br><br>significantly. Irrigation also affects plant height, flower dry weight<br><br>and flowering time significantly. 2mm irrigation per two weeks was the<br><br>best method and 2mm irrigation per week increased anthodia height<br><br>and diameter significantly. The interactions between vermicompost and<br><br>irrigation was significant with respect to plant height (64.82 cm), flowers<br><br>dry weight (7.84 gr per pot) and flowering time (35.5 days) as concerned<br><br>and the best treatments was 15% vermicompost and irrigation<br><br>2mm per two weeks. The highest essential oil yield detected in 10%<br><br>vermicompost and irrigation 4mm per two weeks (2/23 mg/pot). According<br><br>to the results, 15% vermicompost plus 2mm irrigation per two<br><br>weeks was the best method to produce the Goral cultivar of German<br><br>chamomile in organic system.