Subhdara, Kamla Dhyani Jakhmola, Suman Khanduri, Sobha and Preeti Handa Kakkar
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of different sowing dates on the agro-morphological characteristics, flower productivity, and essential oil content of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) cultivated in the Dehradun and Pauri districts of Uttarakhand, India. The study employs a randomized block design (RBD) to investigate the effects of three different sowing times (late September, mid-October, and mid- November). The results indicate significant effects of sowing dates on various morphological traits and essential oil content. In Dehradun, the second sowing time resulted in the highest values for parameters such as plant height, number of primary branches, number of flowers, flower head diameter, stem girth, and fresh flower weight. Conversely, in Pauri, values increased with a later sowing date. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses of essential oil samples revealed that the predominant components, including ?-Bisabolol, Chamazulene, ?-Farnesene, and (Z)-en-yn-dicycloether, varied with sowing dates. 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, which is particularly crucial in the context of global climate change.