Evaluation of spent mushroom substrate, mineral NPK fertilization and manure fertilization on chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L. Rausch) yield and raw material quality

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of spent mushroom substrate (SMS), manure and mineral fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L. Rausch) yield and raw material quality. Unfertilized chamomile plots were the control treatment. This study hypothesized that due to its high content of organic matter and macro- and micronutrients, SMS could be an alternative and innovative method of fertilization of this herbal plant. Given that the possibility of using organic fertilization is very limited, we should seek new methods to increase the organic matter content in cultivated soils. A three-year field experiment with a split-block design was conducted on podzolic soil under the climatic conditions of the central Lublin region (Poland). SMS used in this experiment was richer in dry matter and total nitrogen, but less rich in total organic carbon, phosphorus and potassium than farmyard manure. In each year of the study, the highest total yield of chamomile raw material was recorded in the treatment with SMS supplemented with mineral NPK fertilization in spring. The above-mentioned treatment also proved to be most beneficial for the majority of the analyzed quality parameters of the chamomile raw material. It was proved that due to fertilization of a chamomile plantation with SMS, herbal raw material characterized by the best health-promoting parameters (a high content of natural antioxidants) can be obtained.