Investigating the effect of coating German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) seeds with enhanced moisture absorbents on the growth and yield of its essential oil
Subject Areas : Environmental ecology
1 - هیئت علمی دانشگاه آزاد
Keywords: hormone, moisture, medicinal plant, absorbent, food,
Abstract :
Germination and initial growth of small seeds in field conditions can be challenging and require extra care and attention. Covering these small seeds with moisture-absorbing materials can help overcome these difficulties. Moreover, combining materials that enhance seed germination and growth with absorbents can further improve growth and production. This study aims to investigate the effects of coating German chamomile seeds with various moisture absorbents, including a control group, super absorbent A200, polyacrylate hydrogel, and hydroxyethyl cellulose absorbent. These were reinforced with different treatments: no application, treatment with hormones, treatment with nutrients, and treatment with both nutrients and plant hormones. The study assessed the percentage of green field, growth, flower production, and essential oil content. The experiment was conducted in three replications using a randomized complete block design. Results indicated that moisture absorbents positively affected all measured traits. The highest dry weight of shoots, number of flowers, and percentage of green field were observed with the polyacrylate hydrogel treatment. Conversely, the highest essential oil percentage was noted in the hydroxyethyl cellulose absorbent treatment. All types of moisture absorbers significantly and similarly increased chlorophyll content, flower diameter, and dry weight of flowers. However, the combination of plant hormones and nutrients had a more pronounced effect on all traits compared to the use of either treatment alone. Specifically, the moisture absorbent treatment combined with nutrients and plant hormones increased flower production— the medicinal and economically valuable part of chamomile— by 43%. In conclusion, due to the medicinal significance of chamomile essential oil, it is advisable to combine nutrients and plant hormones with each of the moisture absorbents (super absorbent A200, polyacrylate hydrogel, and hydroxyethyl cellulose) for optimal growth and production.
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