Can vermicompost improve the yield and essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) more than N-chemical fertilizer?

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Former Master's student of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran

2 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran

Abstract

Intensive cultivation has led to a rapid decline in organic matter and nutrient levels besides affecting the physical properties of soil. The sustainability of production systems has become an important issue throughout the world. This study assessed the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and vermicompost on chamomile's qualitative and quantitative yield. The investigation was conducted at the Research Fields of Ran Company in Firouzkouh, Iran, in the spring of 2017. Treatments consisted of 1) Control, 2) 100% nitrogen from urea, 3) 100% nitrogen from ammonium nitrate, 4) 75% nitrogen from urea and 25% from vermicompost, 5) 75% nitrogen from ammonium nitrate and 25% from vermicompost, 6) 50% nitrogen from urea and 25% from vermicompost, 7) 50% nitrogen from ammonium nitrate and 25% from vermicompost, 8) 25% nitrogen from urea and 25% from vermicompost, 9) 25% nitrogen from ammonium nitrate and 25% from vermicompost and 10) 100% nitrogen from vermicompost. The results of this investigation showed that the maximum plant height (67.03 cm) and plant weight (93.21 g plant-1) were obtained by 200 kg ha-1 urea. The application of 202.5 kg ha-1 ammonium nitrate + 1.5-ton ha-1 vermicompost, caused maximum flower diameter. The highest fresh flower yield (7539.45 kg ha-1), dry flower yield (1715.93 kg ha-1) and essential oil yield (6.95 kg ha-1) were obtained in plots that received 135 kg ha-1 nitrate ammonium + 3-ton ha-1 vermicompost. It seems using vermicompost could enhance the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of chamomile.

Keywords

References

Ali, M., Griffiths, A.J., Williams, K.P. & Jones, D.L. (2007). Evaluating the growth characteristics of lettuce in vermicompost and green waste compost. Journal of Soil Biology. 43, S316-S319.
Arguello, J.A., Ledesma, A., Nunez, S.B., Rodriguez, C.H. & Goldfarb, M.D.D. (2006). Vermicompost effects on bulbing dynamics, nonstructural carbohydrate content, yield, and quality of Rosado paraguayo garlic bulbs. Horticultural Science. 41(3), 589-592.
Ansarifar, M., Noormohamadi, G., Haj Seyed Hadi, M.R. & Riazi G. (2012). Effect of organic nutrients on flower yield and oil content of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.). Journal of Medicinal Plants and By-products. 2, 177-181.
Anwar, M., Patra, D.D., Chand, S., Alpesh, K., Naqvi, A.A. & Khanuja, S.P.S. (2005). Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer on growth, herb and oil yield, nutrient accumulation, and oil quality of French basil. Communication in Soil Science and Plant. 36(13-14), 1737-1746.
Ashwini, K.M. & Sridhar K.R. (2006). Evaluation of pill millipede (Arthrosphaera magna) compost on plant growth and dry matter yield. Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 5, 1323–1329.
Azizi, M., Rezwanee, F., Hassanzadeh Khayat, M., Lakzian, A. & Neamati, H. (2008). The effect of different levels of vermicompost and irrigation on morphological properties and essential oil content of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita variety Goral). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 24(1), 82-93.
Baghalian, K. (2000). Recent advances of medicinal and aromatic plants in Iran. Chronical Horticulture. 40, 13–14.
Chand, S., Pande, P., Prasad, A., Anwar, M. & Patra. D.D. (2007). Influence of Integrated supply of Vermicompost and Zinc-enriched Compost with two grade levels of iron and zinc on the productivity of Geranium. Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 38, 2581-2599.
Chaoui, H.I., Zibilske, L.M. & Ohno, T. (2003). Effects of earthworm casts and compost on soil microbial activity and plant nutrient availability. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 35, 295-302.
Darzi, M.T., Ghalavand, A., Sefidkon, F. & Rejali, F. (2008). Effects of vermicompost and biophosphate fertilizer on quantity and quality of essential oil of fennel. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 4(24), 396-413.
Darzi, M.T., Haj Sayed Hadi, M.R. & Rejali, F. (2012). Effects of the application of vermicompost and nitrogen fixing bacteria on quantity and quality of the essential oil in dill (Anethum graveolens).  Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 6(21), 3793-3799.
Dadkhah, A., Amini Dehaghi, M. & Kafi, M. (2012). Effects of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative yield of chamomile. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Research. 10(2), 321-326.
Dastgheibifard, N., Sharafzadeh, S. & Bazrafshan, F. (2014). Influence of cow manure vermicompost on growth characteristics of German chamomile. Cibtech Journal of Zoology. 3(1), 58-61.
Elsen, T.V. (2000). Species diversity as a task for organic agriculture in Europe. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment. 77:101-109.
Emonger, V.E. & Chweya, J.A. (1992). Effect of nitrogen and variety on essential oil yield and composition of chamomile flowers. Tropical Agriculture. 69, 290-292.
Fallahi, J., Koocheki, A. & Moghaddam P. (2009).  Study the effects of biofertilizers on quantitative and qualitative yield of chamomile. Iranian Journal of Agronomy. 7(1), 127-135.
Fernandez-Luqueno, F., Reyes-Valera, V., Martinez-Suarez, C., Salmon-Hernandez, G., Yanez-Menese, J., Ceballos-Ramirez, J.M. & Dendooven L. (2010). Effect of different nitrogen sources on plant characteristics and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Bioresource Technology. 101, 396-403.
Ghani, A., Azizi, M., Hasanzadeh Khayyat, M. & Pahlavanpour, A. (2008). Essential oil composition of Achillea eriophora, A. nobilis, A. biebersteinii and A. wilhelmsii from Iran. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 11(5), 460-467.
Ghazi Manas, M., Banj Shafiee, S., Haj Seyed Hadi, M.R. & Darzi, M.T. (2013). Effects of vermicompost and nitrogen on quantitative and qualitative yeild of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.  29(2), 269-280.
Godara, A.S., Gupta, U.S., Lal, G. & Singh, R., 2014. Influence of organic and inorganic source of fertilizers on growth, yield and economics of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). International  Journal of Seed Spice. 4(2), 77-80.
Gutierez-Miceli, F.A., Santiago-Borraz, J., Montes Molina, J.A., Carlos Nafate, C., Abud-Archila, M., Oliva Laven, M.A., Rincon-Rosales, R. & Dendooven, L. (2007). Vermicompost as a soil supplement to improve growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum). Bioresource Technology. 98, 2781-2786.
Haj Seyed Hadi, M.R., Darzi, M.T., Riazi, G.H. & Ghandehari, Z. (2011). Effects of vermicompost and amino acids on the flower yield and essential oil production from Matricaria chamomile L. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 5(23), 5611-5617.
Heidarianpoor, M.B., Sameni, A., Sheikhi, J., Karimian, N. & Zareie, M. (2014). Effects of vermicompost and nitrogen on vegetative growth and nutrient uptake by sunflower. Journal of Agriculture and Environment. 18(67), 217-227.
Heneka, N. (1993). Chamomilla recutita L. Australian Journal of Medicinal Herbal. 5, 33-39.
Jadwiga Andrzejewska, J. & Woropaj-Janczak M. (2014). German chamomile performance after stubble catch crops and response to nitrogen fertilization. Industrial Crops and Products. 62: 350-358.
Kapoor, R., Giri, B. & Mukerji, K.G. (2004). Improved growth and essential oil yield and quality in Foeniculum vulgare Mill on mycorrhizal inoculation supplemented with P-fertilizer. Bioresource Technology. 93, 307-311.
Karami, A., Khush-Khui, M. & Sefidkon, F. (2008). Effects of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium on yield, essential oil content and composition of cultivated and wild population of Chamomilla recutita L. Rauschert. Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science. 30, 1-4.
Letchamo, W. (1992). A comparative study of chamomile yield, essential oil and flavonoids content under two sowing seasons and nitrogen levels. Acta Horticulturae. 306, 375-384.
Letchamo, W. & Marquard, R. (1993). The pattern of active substances accumulation in chamomile genotypes under different growing conditions and harvesting frequencies. Acta Horticulturae. 331, 357-364.
Liu, M., Hu, F., Chen, X., Huang, Q., Jiao, J., Zhang, B. & Li, H. (2009). Organic amendments with reduced chemical fertilizer promote soil microbial development and nutrient availability in a subtropical paddy field: the influence of quantity, type and application time of organic amendments. Applied Soil Ecology. 42, 166-175.
Manaffee, W.F. & Kloepper, J.W. (1994). Application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in sustainable agriculture. p. 23-31. C.E. Paankburst et al. (ed.) Soil biota management in sustainable farming systems. CSIRO, Pub. East Melbourne, Australia.
Mosleh, Z., Salehi, M.H. & Rafiei Alhosseini, M. (2014). Effects of chamomile cultivation and manure on silt and clay changes in soils. Journal of Agricultural Environment. 18(68), 11-21.
Najar, I.A. & Khan, A.B. (2013). Effect of Vermicompost on Growth and Productivity of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Under Field Conditions. Acta Biology Malaysiana. 2(1), 12-21.
Najm, A.A., Haj Seyed Hadi, M.R., Fazeli, F., Darzi, M.T. & Rahi, A. (2012). Effect of integrated management of nitrogen fertilizer and cattle manure on the leaf chlorophyll, yield, and tuber glycoalkaloids of Agria potato. Communication in Soil Science and Plant. 43(6), 912-923.
Niknejad, M., Lebaschy, M.H., Jaimand, K. & Hatami, F. (2013). Effect of organic and chemical fertilizers on essential oil of Matricaria chamomilla L. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 29(2), 373-386.
Nikolova, A., Kozhuharova, K., Zheljazkov, V.D. & Craker, L.E. (1999). Mineral nutrition of chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L.). Acta Horticulturae. 502, 203-208.
Omidi, H., Naghdibadi, H.A., Golzad, A., Torabi, H. & Fotookian, M.H. (2009). Effects of chemical and biological nitrogen fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Journal of Medicinal Plants. 9(30), 98-109.
Pandey, R. (2005). Mangement of Meloidogyne incognita in Artemisia pallens with bio-organics. Phytoparasitica. 33(3), 304-308.
Rahmati, M., Azizi, M., Hasanzadeh Khayyat, L. & Nemati, H. (2009). Effects of plant density and nitrogen on morphological traits, yield, essential oil and chamazulene contrent of chamomile. Journal of Horticultural Science. 23, 27-35.
Ratti, N., Kumar, S., Verma, H.N. & Gautam, S.P. (2001). Improvement in bioavailability of tricalcium phosphate to Cymbopogon martini var. motia by rhizobacteria, AMF and Azospirillum inoculation. Microbial Research. 156, 145-149.  
Sadeghi, A.A., Klarestaghi, K. & Ghalibaf, K. (2014). Effects of urea fertilizer and vermicompost on yield of Althea officinalis L. Journal of Agroecology. 6(1), 42-50.
SAS Inc., 2002. SAS Procedure guide. SAS Institute, Cary, NC. Schank
Sanches Govin, E., Rodrigues Gonzales, H., Carballo Guerra, C. & Milanés Figueredo, M. (2005). Influencia de los abonos organicos y biofertilizantes en la calidad de las especies medicinales Calendula officinalis l.y Matricaria recutita L. Revista Cubana de Plantas Medicinales. 10(1), 1-8.
Shaalan, M.N. (2005). Effect of compost and different sources of biofertilizers, on borage plants (Borago officinalis L.). Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research. 83(1), 271-284.
Sharafzadeh, S. & Alizadeh, O. (2011). German and Roman chamomile. Journal of Applied Pharmacutical Science. 1(10), 1-5.
Sharma, A.K. (2002).  Biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture. Agrobios, India, 407 p.
Senthilkumar, S., Sriramachandrasekharan, M.V. & Haripriya, K. (2004). Effect of vermicompost and fertilizer on the growth and yield of rose. Journal of Interacademicia. 8, 207-210.
Singh, R., Sharma, R.R., Kumar, S., Gupta, R.K. & Patil, R.T. (2008). Vermicompost substitution influences growth, physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality of strawberry. Bioresource Technology. 99, 8507-8511.
Sirousmehr, A., Arabi, J. & Asgharipour, M.R. (2014). Effect of drought stress levels and organic manures on yield, essential oil content and some morphological characteristics of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Advanced Environmental Biology. 8(4), 880-885.
Suthar, S. (2009). Impact of vermicompost and composted farmyard manure on growth and yield of garlic (Allium stivum L.) field crop. International Journal of Plant Production. 3(1), 27-38.
Verma, S., Choudhary, M.R., Yadav, B.L. & Jakhar, M.L. (2013). Influence of vermicompost and sulphur on growth and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.) under semi-arid climate. Journal of Spice and Aromatic Crops. 22(1), 20-23.
Zeinali, H., Poorjafa, M., Bagheri, M., Golparvar, M.R. & Shiranirad, A. (2008). Effects of planting time and nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield components of chamomile. Iranian Journal of Agronomy. 3(10), 220-230.
Zeinali, H., Moslehi Yazddeli, A., Safaee, L., Jaberalansar, Z., Akhoondi, A. & Eskandari, Z. (2014). Effects of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.). Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 30(4), 511-518.
Journal of Organic Farming of Medicinal Plants
Volume 1, Issue 1
September 2022
Pages 37-43

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics