Effect of sowing date and harvest frequency on flower yield, essential oil percent and composition of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) CV. Presov

Abstract

In order to study the effect of sowing date and harvest frequency on flower yield, essential oil percent and composition of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) CV. Presov, prepared from Slovakia, an experiment was conducted. The experiment was split-plot method based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Main plots consisted of three sowing dates (6th Nov, 5th Mar, and 4th Apr) and sub-plots included three harvest frequencies (first, second and third). Evaluated traits were dry flower yield, essential oil percentage and yield, yield of β-farnesene, α-bisabolol oxide B, α-bisabolol, chamazulene, αbisabolol oxide A. The results showed that sowing date, harvest frequency and their interaction had significant effect on these parameters. Based on the results, the most dry flower yield (40 g/m 2 ) was obtained from the second harvest of 6th November. Also the highest essential oil content (0.72 percent w/w), essential oil yield (0.26 g/m 2 ) and α-bisabolol yield (0.2375 g/m 2 ) were obtained from the second harvest of March and the most chamazulene yield (0.0473 g/m 2 ) was obtained from the third harvest of March that it had a little difference with second harvest. According to the results, the best chamomile quality was attained in second harvest of March sowing date in Mashhad condition.