Reaction of Chamomile to Organic Fertilisation

The increasing and growing interest in chamomile essential oil is leading to a rise in cultivated areas outside of Europe. Currently, the amount of produced chamomile flowers and essential oil cannot meet market needs. The reason for this is the lack of good and sustainable agricultural practices. This study aims to determine how fertilisation with organic fertilisers Bioazoto N12® and Plonar Active® affects the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the chamomile variety Lazur. The field trial was set up in the region of Stambolovo (41.767°N 25.65°E) over a period of three years (2023-2025). The experiment was arranged based on the randomised complete block design in three replications and an individual plot size of 25m². Two organic fertilisers have been included in the study: Bioazoto N12® at a rate of 400 kg ha⁻¹ and Plonar Active® in a dose of 120 kg ha⁻¹. The products have been applied in the autumn before the main soil tillage. The results indicated that the organic product Plonar Active® positively influenced the agricultural performance of chamomile and achieved the highest yields of fresh flowers and essential oil. Moreover, the product stimulated the synthesis of β-farnesene, chamazulene, α-bisabolol, α-bisabolol oxide A, and α-bisabolol oxide B. These findings allow the organic fertilisers Plonar Active® to be recommended for sustainable chamomile production.