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

Abstract EN

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.