Chamomile Plants Research Articles

Effects of Toxic Metals Cd, Ni and Pb on Matricaria Chamomilla L. Growth in a Laboratory Study

The paper presents a comparative bioaccumulation study between the growth of chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla L.) exposed to toxic metals (Cd, Ni and Pb) and the growth of same plant species unexposed to metals. The soil was contaminated within three independent experiments with Cd, Ni and Pb at the intervention threshold value for sensitive use. Each of the toxic metal was added by watering the seeds, and subsequently the germinated plants. The experiments targeted the effects of soil pollution on the growth of chamomile during three months period. The results showed that in the first month of the study, all three metals accumulated in plants. After the seeds germination and plant growth, high Cd concentration in chamomile plants was detected. Moreover, Ni and Pb were detected in soil in the percentage of 96%. Overall, it was observed that chamomile plants were Cd accumulators at the tested concentrations of 6 mg/kg with no phytotoxic effects. Matricaria Chamomilla L. could be used in phytoremediation of polluted soils, with limitations of use for human consumption, except for the extracts.

Studying the Pharmaceutical; Elements and Bio-Effect of the Chamomile Plants as a Medicinal Plant

In this research to measure the concentration of elements in the plant chamomile and effectiveness of these items on the biological processes of the human person and the benefits arising from this plant and plant use alternative chemicals used in the pharmaceutical industry Medicine it was measured elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) in three different ways depending the process used to reach the best results and to measure the concentration of the elements and compare them with each other. It has also been on the search study the effect of the measured concentrations of the elements on the Rights of the benefits and harms of health has also been studying the benefits of chamomile for humans and how to take advantage of it. And knowledge of the work of each of these elements with the last element association for the purpose of organizing its work within the human body in biological processes and their effectiveness in regulating vital biological processes. The concentration of elements in the chamomile plant was measured in this research and the effectiveness of these elements on human biological processes, the benefits of this plant, the use of plants as an alternative medicine for the chemicals used in the pharmaceutical industry, and elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) were measured in three different ways depending on the process used to achieve the best results and measure and compare their concentration Together. The research also examined the impact of the trickiness of measured elements on human health from harmful benefits and benefits, and the benefits of the human chamomile were studied and how it could be used. The working of each of these elements is linked to another element for the purpose of organizing their work within the human body is vital processes and their effectiveness in the organization of biological and biological processes.

Phytochemical and Biological of Anthemis nobilis (Asteraceae family) a Native Herbs of Iraq

This study included the chemical detection of some active raw compounds extracted from the vegetative part of chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) from the Asteraceae family, Which is one of the important medicinal plants that are prevalent in many areas in Iraq and which have been used to treat many diseases, as some of the main chemical ingredients were detected in the vegetative part (multiple phenols, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins). The owner of the largest amount of this plant was phenols, as it amounted to 33.5%, which was in the form of an brown precipitate, while the smallest amount of glycosides was 0.64% with a red precipitate shape. Also, the chemical contents, vitamins and mineral elements of this plant were revealed. Potassium was the most quantitative ingredient in chamomile which amounted to 302.7 mg. The least amount of this plant was for the manganese component which was 0.16 mg. As for vitamins, vitamin C was the largest amount which amounted to 86.9 mg, followed by vitamin A with 440 micrograms, In addition, the study included using the aqueous extract of chamomile plants with two concentrations (80-100%) to study their effect in reducing the percentage of sugar outside the living body in mice. There were significant differences between concentrations and control and the best concentration was 100%.

Does time of protective procedure and genotype of chamomile affect yield?

Summary Objective: Chamomile plants (Chamomilla recutita L. Rausch) are often attacked by pests, which usually cause the decrease of raw material yield and its quality. The objects of field trial were two chamomile cultivars: Złoty Łan (4n) and Promyk (2n) cultivated under organic regime. The aim of this study was to evaluate of impact of the spinosad treatment and its time of application on two chamomile cultivars: cv. Promyk – 2n and cv. Złoty Łan – 4n exposed to insect pests. Methods: The first treatment with spinosad as a preventative control (P) was performed in the early phase of plant development (seven leaves). Intervention (I) treatment was made in green bud phase. In both terms of observation insect pests were observed and collected. In each spraying application of 0.06 g of spinosad per 1 liter of water was used. Results: Spinosad was able to limit the number of pest population and finally increased yielding of the treated cultivars as compared to the untreated plants. Time of spinosad application for cv. Złoty Łan plants was not statistically siginificant, although was more effective for the preventative treatment of cv. Promyk in the increasing of the plant biomass (283.8 g · m−2) and seed (32 g · m−2) yields than intervention. Conclusion: Protection treatment with spinosad might be recommended in chamomile cultivation and it is more effective than intervention in diploid cultivar which begin blooming earlier than tetraploid. Essential oil content was not related with protection treatment for diploid cultivar, although intervention in tetraploid cultivar caused higher content of oil.

INFLUENCE OF HUMIC ACID RATES AND APPLICATION TIMES ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF CHAMOMILE (Matricaria chamomilla, L.) PLANTS GROWN UNDER RECLAIMED SANDY SOIL CONDITIONS

Two field experiments were carried out at a Private Farm in Qeft District, Qena Governorate, Egypt, during the two consecutive seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. To study the effect of humic acid rates (0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 l/fad.), sprays number (one, two, three and four times at 25, 25 and 40 , 25, 40 and 55 as well as 25, 40, 55 and 70 days after planting, respectively and their combinations on vegetative growth, flower yield components and volatile oil production of chamomile plant.The obtained results referred to that the maximum values of plant height, branch number/plant, herb dry weight/plant as well as air-dry weight of flower heads/ plant and/fad., were detected when chamomile plants were applied with the highest rate of humic acid and sprayed three times during the season, in most cases. In the same time, the treatment of humic acid rate at 3 l/faddan combined with three application times was superior treatment in volatile oil percentage in flower heads and volatile oil yield (ml/ plant and l/faddan) of chamomile compared to the other ones under study during both seasons. Generally, this combination treatment seems promising in the development of sustainable crop growth and yield advantages under Qena Governorate conditions.

Effect of cold stress at flowering stage on some important characters of five German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) genotypes in a pot experiment

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), is one of the common medicinal plants cultivated most significantly for its pharmacological applications. Environmental stresses, especially cold stress, affect the total amount of active ingredient in plants. The effects of various temperatures, including 25, 10, 5, and 0 °C at flowering stage, were investigated on important traits of 5 German chamomile genotypes ('Bodegold', 'Isfahan', 'Ahwaz', 'Zabol', and 'Shiraz'). A number of important morpho-physiological traits were measured and essential oil was extracted (using hydro-distillation method) from flowers. According to the results of variance analysis, genotypes had significant differences for the measured traits except for the number of shoots per plant, the number of flowers, and flower diameter. Temperature affected all the traits significantly, except for root length, root dry weight, and relative water content. Interaction of genotype and temperature was significant for the number of flowers, percentage of electrolyte leakage, and percentage of essential oil. The results indicated that, essential oil percentage increased from 25 °C to 10 °C and then decreased with increasing cold stress in all the studied genotypes. 'Shiraz' genotype indicated the highest values regarding root length (31.66 cm) and root dry weight (0.32 mg). The highest value of plant height (53.44 cm) was observed in 'Zabol' genotype. 'Bodegold' (1.51%) and 'Isfahan' (1.44%) genotypes had the highest essential oil percentage in the cold-stress condition (5 °C). But this trend was not observed for the number of flowers per plant. Classification of genotypes showed that in conditions with high possibility of chilling stress occurrence at flowering stage, 'Bodegold' genotype is the most efficient followed by 'Isfahan' genotype. On the other hand, 'Bodegold' genotype can be crossed with 'Ahwaz' and 'Zabol' genotypes in order to improve the cold tolerance of new genotypes. These findings can help the researchers to investigate gene expression and identifying genes involved in cold tolerance of chamomile plants.

Effect of Soil and Irrigation Water Salinity in the Productivity and Essential Oil Constituents of Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L.)

Owing to its hand-picked flower heads and its applications in organic farming systems, Egyptian chamomile has a good reputation in export markets. This study was carried out to evaluate the growth, productivity and oil quality of chamomile during two successive seasons in El-Sharkia, Egypt, at four different locations, which differed greatly in the salinity of soil and irrigation water. Salinity did not negatively impact yield or essential oil contents. The greatest yield and essential oil content were obtained under high-salinity conditions. Total of 28 compounds were identified. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes were more abundant under high-salinity conditions, while sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were more abundant under low-salinity. The main components were differentiated across locations and harvest times. The main components were bisabolol oxide A, cis-β-farnesene, bisabolol oxide, and bisabolol oxide B. Bisabolol oxide A contents were much greater under high-salinity, while cis-β-farnesene contents were much greater under low-salinity. These results confirmed the impact of soil properties on the quality and productivity of chamomile. By avoiding salt accumulation, the chamomile plants were highly resistant to salinity stress. Increased flower yields and essential oil contents were observed under high-salinity stress, and farmers are encouraged to grow chamomile where saline soil and/or saline irrigation water are present.

Bio-Control of Chamomile Powdery Mildew Using Cyanobacteria and Some Antagonistic Microorganisms

Field experiments were carried out under natural infection in the Experimental Farm of Sids Agricultural Research Station, Agric. Res. Center, Beni-Sweif governorate to evaluate the potentiality of Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma harzianum and cyanobacteria (Spirulina platensis)alone or in mixture to control powdery mildew on chamomile and its productivity using two application methods: soaking the seedling roots before transplanting + foliar spray and foliar spray only. Generally, all the tested bioagents were effective in reduction the disease incidence and severity leading to a significant increase in fresh and dry weights of the blossoms as well as essential oil percent and oil yield compared with the control treatment. Soaking the chamomile seedling roots and spraying the leaves with suspensions for bioagents tested were the most effective in reducing the disease incidence and severity than spraying the leaves by the suspensions only. Mixing the cyanobacteria (S. platensis) with the fungal and bacterial antagonistics was more effective compared to each treatment separately. The highest efficacy was obtained from plots received mixed treatment of S. platensis + P. fluorescens in addition to the fungicide Topas 100 EC. Furthermore, all the treatments showed significant increases in the defence-related enzymes, peroxidase (PO) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) as compared with the untreated control. Spirulina platensis significantly enhanced the growth of T. harzianum and did not show any inhibitory effect against bacterial growth as well as significantly increased the number of bacterial colony forming units (cfu) of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens which significantly improved the microbial status in the rhizosphere of chamomile plants.

Influence of Potassium Fertilization and Nano-Chitosan on Growth, Yield Components and Volatile Oil Production of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, L.) Plant

To assess the effect of potassium fertilization rates at [0.0, 50, 75 and 100 kg/fed. as potassium sulphate (48 % K2O)], different nano-chitosan concentration (0.0, 2.5 and 5 ml/l) and their combination treatments on growth and productivity of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, L.), field experiment was conducted in private farm in Mansoura District, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, during the two winter consecutive seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. Treat chamomile plants with potassium fertilizer or/and nano chitosan induced significant increases in vegetative growth (plant height, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry weights of herb/plant), yield components (dry flower heads yield/plant and /feddan, yearly), volatile oil production (volatile oil percentage, volatile oil yield/plant and /feddan, yearly) and chemical constituents (K and total carbohydrates percentages in flower heads and total chlorophyll a + b content in leaves), as compared with control plants which untreated with potassium fertilization and nano-chitosan. . Generally, the obtained results indicated that growth and productivity of chamomile plants could be enhanced by the addition of potassium at 100 kg potassium sulphate /feddan in combination with the foliar application of 5 ml/l nano-chitosan grown in clay loamy soil under Dakahlia Governorate conditions.

Self-Incompatibility inMatricaria chamomillaL. (Asteraceae) Is Linked to Differential Esterase Activity

Premise of research. Self-incompatibility (SI) is a frequent mechanism of plants to avoid self-pollination. Pollen esterases (EC 3.1.1.−) play an important role in pollination by enabling the penetration of pollen tubes through the cutin layer (cutinases). Therefore, their composition could contribute to SI. To test this hypothesis, esterase activity and isozyme profiles between self-compatible and self-incompatible chamomile plants (Matricaria chamomilla L., Asteraceae) were compared.Methodology. Stable self-incompatible plants were selected, and the approximate number of alleles contributing to SI were determined in a full-diallel cross. Esterase activity of self-compatible and self-incompatible chamomile plants was tested on the four substrates that follow: 1-naphthyl acetate, 2-naphthyl acetate, 1-formyl-2-naphthyl acetate, and indoxyl acetate. Esterases were characterized by electrophoretic methods, both concerning protein size and isozyme pattern in two different buffer systems.Pivotal results. Seventeen percent of all plants analyzed were self-incompatible. Eight self-incompatible plants—crossed in a full diallel—showed six different alleles responsible for SI, a number that can only be regarded as a minimum number of alleles due to the low sample size. Self-incompatible plants showed a significantly lower esterase activity for the two substrates, namely, 1-naphthyl acetate and 2-naphthyl acetate. With 1-formyl-2-naphthylacetate, however, esterase activity of self-incompatible plants was higher than that of self-compatible plants. With indoxyl acetate, no significant difference between self-incompatible and self-compatible plants could be found. The different esterase isozyme patterns observed did not correlate to the compatibility mechanism.Conclusions. The composition of pollen esterases is variable and could contribute to SI by differences in their substrate specificity.

The effect of climate on ornamental traits of chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants, and belongs to the family Asteraceae. It has been used in several pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Nowadays, the introduction of new ornamental plants plays a vital role in floriculture. Because of its numerous interesting characteristics, chamomile can be introduced as an ornamental plant. Environmental effects should be estimated in new cultivars and wild populations. Therefore, we compared eight cultivars and three accessions, from Germany (‘Bodegold’, ‘Goral’, ‘Zolty Lan’, ‘Kamile kultureform’), Italy (‘Italian’), Hungary (‘Hungarian’), and Iran (cultivar ‘Zardband’ and accessions Kazeroon, Khuzestan, and Bushehr). All entries were cultivated in two locations with different climates (tropical and temperate zone). Morphological characteristics were evaluated during the flowering period. Plant height, stem number, receptacle diameter, number and diameter of ray florets were affected by the environmental conditions. The average height of chamomile plants was 42.4 cm under tropical conditions compared with 35.6 cm under temperate conditions. Flower diameter (17.3 mm), number of ray florets (16.6), and length of ray florets (11.0 mm) were higher in the tropical zone than in the temperate climate, but diameters of ray florets (2.28 mm) were greater under temperate climate conditions. According to flower diameter data in temperate (18.0 mm) and tropical (19.9 mm) climates, ‘Bodegold’ from Teekanne Company was the best. Because of its water-efficiency requirement, easy reproduction and high soil salinity tolerance, chamomile could be introduced as an ornamental plant under inappropriate environmental conditions.

Different methods of bacterial inoculation on the yield of chamomile blossoms and essential oil.

Chamomile is one of the most wide spread medicinal plant cultivated in Egypt. This work aimed at enhancement of blossoms and oil production of chamomile plants via biofertilization with PGPRs under organic farming system. In this study, 6 bacterial strains were applied using two different inoculation techniques. The first application method was throughout soaking the roots of seedlings in the bacterial suspension before transplanting. The second technique was by adding the bacterial inocula to soil 2 weeks after transplantation. The results showed that root dipping method displayed high impact on the yield of chamomile blossoms and essential oil percentage. Furthermore, the soil application of the bacterial inocula didn’t show any significant impact in this respect. Where Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus subtilis, Serratia plymuthica and Streptomyces subrutilus increased the dry weight of chamomile blossoms compared to the control, essential oil content increased significantly in case of Serratia plymuthica, Stenotrophomonas rhizophyla and Bacillus subtilis. The current results also indicated that bacterial strains produced the highest indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid resulted in the highest yield of both flowers and essential oil.

YIELD OF CHAMOMILE MEDICINAL DEPENDING ON SOWING DATE AND FERTILIZING IN TERMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

On the market of medicinal plants of Ukraine there is a deficiency of chamomile. Increasing its production and obtaining profits from the sale of medicinal raw materials is possible through the use of new breeding practices and adaptive technologies for growing this crop in the context of global climate change. The conducted scientific researches in different regions of our country and abroad show that the yield of chamomile and the content of biologically active substances in it depend on genetic features of a variety, type of soil, climatic factors, dates and methods of sowing, fertilization, etc. The purpose of our research was to establish the regularities of the formation of the Perlyna Lisostepu chamomile variety yield, depending on the elements of the technology of cultivation in the agroecological conditions of Pollyssya, where this question is not sufficiently studied. We have found that the autumn sowing of this culture has significantly higher yields than spring sowing. This is due to the fact that culture has a larger vegetation period, and therefore it is better to assimilate fertilizers in post-sowing period, and at the time of spring regrowth, it is rapidly increasing the weight and gaining superiority over weeds. The yield of raw mass of flowers varies from 0.7 to 1.4 t/ha depending on the fertilizer, and the dry mass, respectively, from 0.3 to 0.7 t/ha. The best weather conditions in the period of sowing and the formation of generative organs of chamomile plants were in 2018. During the autumn sowing season (September) there was more heat. The average monthly air temperature in April, May and June significantly exceeded the average multi-year norm. On average, over two years of research, the maximum yield of crude mass of chamomile flowers was 1.3 t/ha and dry mass of 0.65 t/ha was obtained with the addition of N16P16K16 (to the main fertilizer). Chamomile plants respond well to the N10 foliar feeding which provided 1.2 t/ha and 0.6 t/ha of raw material. During spring sowing, the yield was in the range of 0.5-1.1 t/ha of raw mass and, respectively, 0.2-0.6 t/ha of dry mass of flowers. Fertilized options were not inferior to each other in yield of medicinal raw material. Application of fertilizers according to the experimental scheme increased the yield of finished medicinal raw materials by 0,1-0,3 t/ha

Comparative Study on the Effect of Matricaria chamomile and Achillea millefolium Capsules on Primary Dysmenorrhea Intensity of Dormitory Students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, 2018

Background: Menstrual pain is the most common pain and one of the main causes of referral to a doctor among young women. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) and Matricaria chamomile plants to treat menstrual pain.
 Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial study was performed on 50 female students of Kurdistan Medical Sciences residing in dormitory in 2018. Individuals were randomly divided into two groups of chmomile and yarrow using sealed envelopes. Twenty for people received 250 mg chamomile capsules every 8 hours and 26 people received 150 mg hydroalcoholic capsules of yarrow every 8 hours during the first three days of menstruation in two menstrual cycles. The data collection tool was a questionnaire and the severity of pain was assessed using visual analogue scale for the pain (VAS).
 Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of pain severity and duration of pain before taking the drug (p > 0.05). The average pain severity in the first menstrual cycle in the two groups decreased significantly (p< 0.05), which was more noticeable in the yarrow group. However, the average pain severity in the yarrow capsule group was lower than that of the chamomile capsule group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
 Conclusion: Both capsules of yarrow and chamomile reduce the severity of pain, but the yarrow capsule, with its long-lasting sedative effect, proved more helpful to reduce the severity of menstrual pain and could be effective in solving one of the issues among women.

Leaf Area Estimation in Chamomile

The knowledge of the variables specific leaf area and leaf area index is important for direct or indirect quantification of plant growth, development and yield. However, there is a lack of these information due to the difficulty in measuring the leaf area of chamomile. Measuring leaf area by direct methods, such as the use of leaf area integrator is a very laborious and time consuming activity because the plant has many leaves and with small size. The use of leaf dry matter is a promising variable for the leaf area estimation. As an important measure to evaluate plant growth, the present study aimed to obtain a model for chamomile leaf area estimation through leaf dry matter. The experiment was conducted in two sowing dates (March 18 and June 30, 2017) at different plant densities (66, 33, 22, 16, 13, 11 and 8 plants m-2). The leaves of chamomile plants were collected in the plant vegetative and reproductive phases. The leaf area determination was performed using the electronic integration method of leaf area. The specific leaf area was 133 cm2 g-1, with no differences between sowing dates, plant densities and phenological phases of plant collection. The leaf area measured with the electronic leaf area integrator exhibited high correlation with chamomile leaf dry matter and the resulting model of leaf area data by the integrator presented optimum performance. This model is indicated for leaf area determination of chamomile when there is availability of leaf dry matter data.

Radionuclide content in Matricaria chamomilla L., grown in two regions

This article analyses the content of natural radionuclides in chamomile plants collected from two different locations. Both samples have been dried in the shade at room temperature. The chamomile has been collected in July 2016 from two different regions of Bulgaria - Yagnilo village, Varna district and the village of Debeli Rat, Veliko Tarnovo district. They are dried under natural conditions and milled into a fine powder. The measurements are taken on a low-background spectrometer at Shumen University Episkop Konstantin Preslavski. The resulting gamma-spectra are processed with ANGES software. Radioisotopes are determined by their energies. The values of their specific activities are calculated. Approximately the same levels of 226 Ra, 228 Ac, 208 T1 and 40 K are found in the samples from both regions. The highest levels of radionuclides are meаsured for 40 K, the lowest specific activity in the flowers from Yagnilo is found for 208 Tl, and in those from Debeli Rat - for 212 Pb. The levels of their specific activities are within the limits, according to Ordinance №25 on the requirements for protection of people in case of chronic irradiation, as a result of production, trade and use of raw materials, products and goods with increased content of radionuclides and Ordinance №11 on defining the terms and conditions for providing free food and/or supplements to the workers and employees who work in enterprises of a specific nature and organization of work. The public health of consumers is not at risk, given these levels.

Effect of NPK Rates and Inoculation with Mycorrhizal Fungi on Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Plant in Sandy Soils

This study was carried out during the winter seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 at The Experimental Farm ofEnvironmental Agricultural Sciences Faculty, Arish University, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt. The aim of this workwas to study the effect of different NPK rates (0.00, 22.4, 44.8 and 67.2 Kg/fed) and different Mycorrhizal fungiconcentrations (0.00, 28, 56 and 84 g/fed) and their interactions on growth and chemical content of dry leaves (nitrogen,phosphorus, potassium), and fresh leaves content of chlorophyll A and B as well as dry flower content of oil ofchamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under sandy soil conditions. A Split plot design was used NPK rates wererandomly arranged in main plots and the mycorrhizal fungi concentrations were randomly distributed in the sub plots,Drip irrigation was used. Distance between lines was 50 cm and between plants in the same row was 30 cm (28000plant per fed). The obtained results showed that the highest values of vegetative growth (plant height, stem diameter,number of branches, fresh and dry weight of herb, root length, and root fresh and dry weight), flower traits (number offolwer/plant, flower fresh and dry weight, and flower diameter), chemical constituents (N, P, K), chlorophyll content (a& b), and essential oil percentage were achieved when chamomile plants treated with 67.2 kg NPK/fed or 84g/fedmycorrhizal fungi. The interaction results indicated that the highest values of all previous traits were recorded withplants fertilized with 67.2 kg NPK/fed and inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi at 84 g/fed.

Evaluation of proline, chlorophyll, soluble sugar content and uptake of nutrients in the German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under drought stress and organic fertilizer treatments

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of drought stress and organic fertilizer on German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) nutrient uptake, leaf chlorophyll content and osmotic adjustment under field conditions. MethodsThis experiment was carried out through a randomized complete block design with a split factorial arrangement of treatments in three replications. The main plots were subjected to the following irrigation treatments: irrigation after 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 mm evaporation from Class A pan. The sub-plots were treated with three vermicompost doses (0, 5 and 10 t/ha). ResultsAlthough drought stress reduced the nutrient percentages in the shoots, application of vermicompost enhanced the nutrient percentages, particularly when the plants were subjected to moderate to severe drought stress conditions. Moreover, the results of this study showed that the interaction between irrigation treatments and vermicompost rates on leaf chlorophyll content was significant. Comparison between the combined treatments indicated that under normal irrigation and moderate drought stress conditions chamomile plants received 5 and 10 t/ha vermicompost showed significantly higher leaf chlorophyll content comparing to the control treatment. ConclusionsTotally, organic fertilization by vermicompost could partly alleviate the effect of drought stress on chamomile by increasing N, P and K uptake and leaf soluble sugar, especially in stressed treatments.

Field Monitoring and Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against Chamomile Stem Weevil Microplontus rugulosus and Chamomile Smooth Beetle Olibrus aeneus Under Greenhouse Conditions

Chamomile Matricaria recutita (L.) is an ancient healing plant; it is used for a sore stomach, a mild laxative, anti-inflammatory and a gentle sleep aid. Chamomile plants are infested by chamomile stem-weevil Microplontus rugulosus (Col., Curculionidae) and chamomile smooth beetle Olibrus aeneus (Col., Phalacridae), and can lead to a high reduction in chamomile yield. This work aimed to survey M. rugulosus and O. aeneus by different monitoring methods as well as to manage them by using entomopathogenic nematodes. Sweep nets, water traps, and dissecting the chamomile stems and flowers were used to monitor for M. rugulosus and O. aeneus. Chamomile insects were collected from naturally infested plants moved from the field to the greenhouse. Management of chamomile insects was conducted using three strains of entomopathogenic nematodes; while the control plants were sprayed only with water. Each strain was replicated three times and each replicate included 50 chamomile plants (combined total was 150 for each strain). Three treatment dates were carried out in May, June and July; the first one was mainly for controlling stem weevil, while the other two dates were for smooth beetle. The results showed that 70–80 % of stems had damage and symptoms of stem weevils. Thirty percents from the investigated plants were larvae free of smooth beetle; whiles 70 % was infested with different classifications (e. g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or more than 4 larvae/blooms). The results confirm that smooth beetle infestation and larval numbers were higher in May and June than July. Steinernema carpocapsae had more efficiency than S. feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora in controlling both insects. Entomopathogenic nematodes could be one of the effective management strategies to control these insects in the chamomile fields.

The influences of Bio-stimulator Compounds on growth, essential oil and chemical composition of chamomile plants grown under water stress

This study was conducted at the Experimental Nursery of the Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, during the two successive seasons of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. This work aimed to investigate the effect of water stress and bio- stimulator on the vegetative growth, flower yield, essential oil production and chemical compositions of Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla L.). Water stress was imposed by three different irrigation intervals (4, 8 and 12 days). The plants received different irrigation intervals were sprayed every 2 weeks with bio-stimulator of either Amino Suam or Setter-2 at concentration of 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm for each one, while the control plants were sprayed with tap water. The experimental units were designed in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 21 treatments and three replications for everyone treatment. The results showed that, highest values of plant height, number of branches/plant , diameter of flower heads, essential oil percentage, total chlorophylls content and total carbohydrates percentage were obtained from irrigation interval of 8 days as a compared to 4 or 12 days. Increasing irrigation intervals from 4 to 8 or 12 days resulted in a significant reduction in the stem diameter, fresh and dry weights of the herb, number of flower heads/plant, fresh and dry weights of flower heads, essential oil yield, as well as N, P and K% in dried herb while proline content was increased with increasing intervals. On the other hand, in most cases all the studied parameters were increased significantly as a result of spraying plants with either concentration of Amino Suam or Setter-2 compared to control plants. Regarding the effect of interaction between the two studied factors, the results indicate that in most cases, plants irrigated every 4, 8 and 12 days and sprayed with any concentration of bio-stimulators (Amino Suam or Setter-2) had the values for all the studied parameters which were significantly higher than those of control plants. Concerning essential oil composition, α-bisabolol oxide A, α-bisabolol oxide B, farnesene, bisabolone oxide, α-bisabolol and Chamazulene were the six major compounds of Chamomile oil. The highest percent of α-bisabolol oxide A (53.50%) were obtained from plants irrigated every 12 days and sprayed with Setter-2 at concentration of 2000 ppm and the highest percent of α-bisabolol oxide B (16.99%), farnesene (12.55%) and bisabolone oxide (12.03%) were resulted from plants irrigated every 8 days and sprayed with Amino Suam at 1000 ppm, while the highest percent of α-bisabolol (6.36%) and Chamazulene (4.37%) were obtained from plants irrigated every 4 days and sprayed with Amino Suam at 2000 ppm.