Evaluation of the Possibility of Establishing Certain Organic Cultivation Packages as Nutrient Sources for Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Cultivation at Temperate Region of Uttarakhand, India

An utmost attempt was made to investigate the response of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) to certain types and doses of organic manures at under open condition at temperate regions of Uttarakhand during the year 2019-2020. The study comprised of varying levels of three different organic manure sources namely, FYM, compost and vermicompost, along with a check treatment replicating thrice having plot having dimensions 1 m× 1 m with a spacing of 20 cm × 20 cm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Forty-five (45) days old chamomile seedlings (attained about 10-15 cm in height) were transplanted during October, 2019 under open field condition. The soils of the experimental site were tested favourable with respect to some of the basic physical and chemical properties. The results revealed that maximum plant height (48.26 cm), number of branches per plant (35.40) and plant spread (33.09 cm) were significantly higher under T4 (FYM @ 25 t/ha) application at 180 days after transplanting. Application of T10 (VC @ 4 t/ha) produced early flowering (119.73 days). At bud initiation stage the highest total fresh (33.12 q/ha) and dry (7.59 q/ha) biomass yield were found in T4 (FYM @ 25 t/ha). At flowering stage maximum value of total fresh (60.02 q/ha) and dry (12.70 q/ha) biomass yield were found in T10 (VC @ 4 t/ha). The results, further revealed that T10 provided the fastest crop growth rate (0.86 g/m2/day). The highest number of flowers per plant (139.73), fresh flower yield (67.35 q/ha), dry flower yield (13.95 q/ha) and maximum cost: benefit (1:3.56) were obtained in plots which received FYM @ 25 t/ha. All the organic input treatments performed better over control and the treatment FYM @ 25 t/ha shall be recommended for profitable organic cultivation of chamomile.