The Essential Oil Content and Composition in Diploid and Tetraploid Chamomilla recutita During the Ontogenesis of Anthodia

ABSTRACT

The essential oil content and composition in two newly-bred varieties of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch. (the diploid “Bona” and tetraploid “NL 90”) were studied during ten distinguishable phases of anthodia development. The highest essential oil content was found in young anthodia. A comparison between the diploid and tetraploid varieties reveals that the tetraploid variety was proportionally richer in chamazulene than the diploid variety during the terminal flowering stages.

KEY WORD INDEX:

• Chamomile diploid variety
• Chamomile tetraploid variety
• Chammilla recutita
• Asteraceae
• anthoda ontogenesis
• essential oil composition