THE EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF IRANIAN CHAMOMILE LANDRACES UNDER DRAIN WASTEWATER

To evaluate the effect of domestic sewage drain on morphological characteristics and yield of essential oil of chamomile plant in water stress conditions, in the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications was conducted at the Islamic Azad University Shahr-e-Qods branch. In this experiment three ecotype populations from Karaj, Kerman and Wild Chamomile that have been collected by the Agricultural Research Center of Esfahan were used. Results showed that the impact of irrigation with drain wastewater on plant height, number of flowers, flower dry weight, stem diameter, oil content, number of main stems, flowers fresh biomass was significant. Maximum height and fresh flowers weight obtained from  treatment that provide 100% plant water requirement and the other treatments in reducing the amount of moisture available to the plant during its downward trend and in 55% of treated water needs to be minimized. Drought stress caused a significant effect on oil yield and its contributing traits like oil content, fresh flowers, dry flowers and flower number. Use a mild stress of 85% and 70% of the chamomile plant water needs, beside water saving, will be produce reasonable chamomile essential oil and acceptable performance.