Organic systems in the growth and essential-oil production of the yarrow

Abstract

Fertilization of the soil with organic fertilizers has been gaining importance within the concept of sustainable crop production. This study aimed evaluates the effects of dosages of cattle and poultry manure on Achillea millefolium L. as regards the vegetative growth and the content and chemical composition of its essential oil. For the cattle manure fertilization the dosages evaluated were: 1) soil with no fertilizer; 2) soil + 3.0 kg m-2; 3) soil + 6.0 kg m-2; 4) soil + 9.0 kg m-2 and 5) soil + 12.0 kg m-2. For fertilization with poultry manure: 1) soil without fertilizer; 2) soil + 1.5 kg m-2; 3) soil + 3.0 kg m-2; 4) soil + 4.5 kg m-2 and 5) soil + 6.0 kg m-2. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications per treatment and four plants per experimental plot. Harvesting took place at 110 days and the following variables were measured: shoot and root dry biomass; root to shoot ratio and the content, yield and chemical composition of the essential oil. Data were submitted to variance and regression analyses. A. millefolium has more intense response in fertilization with poultry manure than to that of cattle, where the dosage of 6 kg m-2 presented the greatest shoot dry weight and highest yield of essential oil. Without regard to fertilization, the essential oil of A. millefolium consists mainly of chamazulene, with the applied treatments not significantly interfering in the oil chemical composition and content.