Heat Stress-Induced Changes in Growth and Essential Oil Profile of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

This study investigates the influence of different sowing times on the agro-morphological characteristics, flower productivity and essential oil content of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) cultivated in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India. The study employs Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to investigate the effects of three different sowing times (late September, mid-October and mid-November). The second sowing time resulted in the maximum values for parameters such as plant height, number of primary branches, number of flowers, flower head diameter, stem girth and fresh flower weight. GC/MS analyses of oil samples revealed that the predominant components, including α-Bisabolol, Bisabolol oxide A, Bisabolol oxide B, Chamazulene, β-Farnesene and (Z)-en-yn-dicycloether, varied with sowing times. The findings of this research are expected to provide valuable insights to farmers in Uttarakhand regarding the optimal timing for chamomile cultivation, aiding them in enhancing the quality of chamomile flowers.