Effect of Biological and Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Essential Oil Composition of Dill (Anethum graveolens L.)

Aims and Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants with great applications in different medicinal industries. In present study, effects of biological and chemical nitrogen fertilizers were evaluated on growth, yield and essential oil composition of dill. This research was conducted under field condition in randomized complete block design with three replications and two factors. The treatments included Nitroxin biofertilizer in four levels (control, seed inoculation, topdress, seed inoculation and topdress), and chemical fertilizer was applied in three levels (0, 50,100 Kg/ha), combinations of biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer and control. Different characteristics such as plant height, number of umbel per plant, number of umbellet per umbel, number of grain per umbelet, 100 seed weight, grain yield, biologic yield and oil percentage were recorded. According to the results, the highest height, biologic yield and grain yield components (except harvest index) obtained on biological fertilizer. Results showed the highest biologic yield and grain yield components, essential oil percent (except the number of umbel per plant, 100 seed weight and harvest index detected in chemical fertilizer). Results showed that the highest essential oil content was detected in biological fertilizer and chemical fertilizer. Identification of essential oil composition showed that content of carvone increased with the application of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers. Application of biofertilizers enhanced yield and other plant criteria in this plant. Generally, it seems that using biofertilizers or combinations of biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer could improve dill performance in addition to reduction of environmental pollution.