Effect of Biological and Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizers on Yield, Yield Components and essential oil content of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) in Shahr-e-Ray Region

In order to evaluate the variations of some morphological traits, yield, seed yield components and essential oil yield of German Chamomile under different application levels of nitrogen (N) and biofertilizers, a split plot experiment laid out in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications in Shar-e-Ray (Gale No) region. Chemical N fertilizer application in three levels (0, 65 and 130 Kg/Ha) was considered as the main factor and biofertilizers application (Control, Nitroxin, Barvar-2 phosphate and a mixture of both) as the secondary factor. Variance analysis results showed that there was no significant relationship between Chamomile Harvest Index and N fertilizer application. Also, the interaction effect of N and biofertilizers was not significant on Chamomile seed and essential oil yields. The rise in N application led to a significant increase in plant height, Capitol fresh and dried yield, seed and essential yields. More ever, the application of biofertilizers, especially Nitroxin, increased the vegetative growth and essence percentage. The evaluation of interaction effects indicated the influential role of biofertilizers, along with high levels N fertilizers application, in Chamomile higher essence percentage and yield, since the highest essence yield (6.76 Kg/Ha) was obtained from the treatment that was concurrently fertilized with Nitroxin and Barvar-2 phosphate biofertilizers at the second N fertilization (N2B4) level. According to the results, it seems that concurrent application of biofertilizers and N not only increases vegetative growth and essence yield, but also gradually decreases chemical fertilizer consumption which is a prerequisite of Chamomile organic production.