Effects of different N.P.K fertilizer levels on quantitative and qualitative traits of Matricaria chamomilla L

This research was aimed to investigate the effects of different amounts of NPK fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative traits of Matricaria chamomilla L. The experiment was conducted during 2007-2008 in Barij Essence Company of Kashan in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments consisted of three levels of N (0، 50، 100 kgha-1)، P2O5 (0، 25، 50 kgha-1) and K2O (0، 25، 50 kgha-1). Plant height، number of flower per plant، number of lateral branches، dry and fresh weight per plant، flower yield/m2، flower diameter، essential oil percentage، and chamazulene were measured. N levels showed significant differences for the number of flower per plant، fresh weight per plant، number of lateral branches، flower yield/m2 and dry and fresh weight of flower (p < 0. 05). Analysis of data showed significant differences for fresh weight per plant under different levels of P2O5 (p < 0. 05). K levels showed no significant differences for all traits. Interaction of N and P2O5 levels revealed significant differences for fresh and dry weight per plant and flower yield/m2 (p < 0. 01). Interaction of N and K2o5 was significant for flower diameter (p < 0. 05). Analysis of mean comparison for flower yield per m2 showed that the highest flower yield was obtained at 50 kg/ha N and 25 kg/ha P2O5، and the lowest flower yield was obtained at 100 kg/ha N and 50 kg/ha P2O5. NPK fertilizers did not affect chamazulene and essential oil. In conclusion، Matricaria chamomilla L. requires few nutrient elements.