Effect of different levels of organic and inorganic fertilizer on yield and main composition of essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.)

In order to study the effect of different rates of fertilizer, manure, micronutrients and mixtures of them, on flower and seed yields and the composition of essential oil of chamomile, a field experiment was conducted in 2006–2007 in a farm located 5 kilometer west of Shirvan city. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications and eight treatments including: unfertilized (F1), 100% fertilizer (F2), 100% manure (F3), micronutrients foliar (F4), 50% fertilizer +50% manure (F5), 100% fertilizer + micronutrients foliar (F6), 100% manure + micronutrients foliar (F7), and 50% fertilizer + 50% manure + micronutrients foliar (F8). The results showed that the highest seed, fresh and dry flower yield was obtained from 100% fertilizer + micronutrients treatment, and there wasn't significant difference between this treatment with 100% fertilizer treatment. The highest essential oil and chamazulen content was obtained with 50% fertilizer + 50% manure and 100% manure treatments. The highest essential oil and chamazulen yield achieved from 50% fertilizer + 50% manure + micronutrients treatment and there wasn't significantly different from this treatment and 50% fertilizer + 50% manure treatment.

Key words: Chamomile, Fertilizer, Manure, Micronutrients, Essential oil, Yield