Response of growth, flowering, nutrient uptake and essential oil of German chamomile to organic nutrition

Abstract

An experimental field was conducted during 2019/2020 and 2021/2021 seasons to evaluate the effects of different rates of humic acid (H.A) and liquid compost (L.C) on quantitative and qualitative yield of German chamomile (Matericaria recutita L.). Rates of both organic materials were 2000 and 4000 ppm, beside control were applied as a soil drench method and performed five times, two weeks intervals through growing seasons starting 45 days from sowing. Vegetative growth, flowering characters, nutritional state, physiological traits, and essential oil yield and its components were studied. Results indicated that all H.A and L.C treatments improved growth parameters (plant height, number of branches per plant, fresh and dry weights of herb and roots), flowering characteristics (number of flower-heads per plant, flower diameter, and fresh and dry weights of flower yield) as compared to control. However, L.C at 4000 ppm was the most effective treatment resulting in significant increases as compared to other treatments. The vigorous growth of superior treatment was closely associated with higher uptake of nutrient elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) than control which produced the worst growth with the lowest uptake of minerals. A positive relationship was found between the adequate nutrients uptake and the highest leaf contents of chlorophyll "a", carotenoids, carbohydrates and protein. Treatment of L.C at 4000 ppm showed considerable increases in essential oil percentage, oil yield and the major constituent in chamomile oil of chamazulene. So, we can recommend to apply this best treatment for organic German chamomile with clearly, safety, health quality and free contaminate chemicals.