Effect of organic and chemical fertilizers on essential oil of Matricaria chamomilla L.

Manure management is a major factor in cultivation of medicinal plants. Utilization of proper fertilizers due to optimizing the plant growth could have positive effects on quality and quantity indicators. In order to investigate the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers on essential oil and components of Matricaria chamomilla L., an experiment was conducted using complete randomized blocks design with three replications at Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands during 2009-2010. Treatments were five fertilizers; chemical fertilizer (Ammonium phosphate) 150 Kg/ha, organic mixture (Bovine) 12 tons/ha, and chemical fertilizer 75 kg/ha, vermicompost (derived from wood waste) 7500 kg/ha, compost (plant debris) 24 tons/ha and control (no fertilizer). Results showed that the mixture treatment (organic and chemical) had the most influence on increasing the quality and quantity of phytochemical characteristics. Maximum essential oil yield (0.37 gr) and beta-ocimene (0.43%) were obtained with mixed fertilizer bysignificant difference compared to control and other treatments. Mixed fertilizers treatment caused an increase in most of the other compounds of Matricaria chamomilla compared with other treatments.