Effects of vermicompost and amino acids on the flower yield and essential oil production from Matricaria chamomile L.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of vermicompost and amino acids on the qualitative and quantitative yield of chamomile. The experiment was conducted during the growing season of 2010 at the Alborz Medical Research Center. The treatment groups consisted of vermicompost (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 tons/ha) and the sprays of amino acids (budding stage, flowering stage, and budding + flowering stage). The experimental design was a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The present results have shown that the highest plant height, flower head diameter, fresh and dry flower yield and significant essential oil content were obtained by using 20-ton vermicompost per hectare. Effects of amino acids were similar to those seen in vermicompost treatment and all measured traits were seen to be significant after the spray of amino acids at the budding + flowering stage.   Key words: Vermicompost, amino acids, chamomile, yield.