Changes in growthand quantitative characteristics and some secondary metabolites of the German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) cultivar Presov in response to Serendipita indica and zeolit

Abstract

Changes in growth and quantitative characteristics and some secondary metabolites of the German Chamomile ( Matricaria recutita L.) cultivar Presov in response to Serendipita indica experimental field of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan during 2006-2007. The experimental factors included the fungus with two levels (either inoculation/ no inoculation) and zeolit with four levels of the application rates (tonnes per hectare): Z1 (0), Z2 (5), Z3 (10) and Z4 (15). After crop harvest performed omitting the marginal effect in a border-band of 50 cm width per plot surroundings, the traits of the number of secondary branches, the number of flowers per plant, biological yield, essence percentage, essence yield, the rate of phenolics, and flavonoids as well as the rate of antioxidant activity were determined. Results and discussion: The inoculation with the fungus and the lower levels of zeolit led to increased number of secondary branches and of flowers per plant. The highest rate of biological yield was obtained with 10 tonnes of zeolit per hectare, which was not statistically significant difference from other levels of zeolite application but still significantly different from that in control. Higher percentage of extract could be produced with lower rates of zeolit. The highest rate of extract yield was yielded as a result of inoculation with S. indica. Furthermore, the application of zeolite led to increased extract yield, so that the lowest rate of extract yield resulted from the no zeolit treatment. The rate of flavonoids, as well as phenolics were higher when the fungus was inoculated than in the absence of inoculation. Conclusion: Considering the results of this research, the beneficial impacts of zeolite, as well as the mycorrhiza-like fungus application are notable as an organic nutritional system in the provision of most nutrients required by the medicinal plant chamomile, and in turn the increase of its extract yield. Moreover, the advantages of the substituent nutritional system can environmentally be considerable compared to traditional agricultural systems.