Effects of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers on some agromorphological and biochemical traits of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)

Abstract

In order to study the effect of various levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers on some agromorphological and biochemical traits of German chamomile, this experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications in the years 2009 to 2010. Nitrogen levels were: 0, 50, and 100 kg/ha of pure nitrogen, phosphorus levels were: 0, 25, and 50 kg/ha and potassium levels were: 0, 25, and 50 kg/ha. In this study, agro-morphological traits including flower number per plant, wet weight of plant, plant dry weight, yield of dry flower and biochemical traits consist essence percentage and chamazulene percentage measurement. Results showed that all fertilizers had significant effects on flower number per plant, wet weight of plant, plant dried weight, dried flowers yield, essence percent and chamazulene percent. The highest yield of dried flowers (1368.4 kg/ha) was obtained using 100 kg/ha nitrogen plus 50 kg/ha phosphorus fertilizer. Mean while, the highest amount of chamazulene (28.5%) was recorded in 50, 25, and 0 kg/ha levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively. Key words: German chamomile, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chamazulene, essence.