Cultivation of chamomile in Nahavand rangelands
The head of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Department of Nahavand city said: one thousand hectares of Nahavand rangelands have been planted with various medicinal plants, of which about 50 hectares are dedicated to the cultivation of chamomile medicinal plants.
Ali Dehpahlavan added: In the years when the rainfall and rainfall conditions are suitable, an average of 2 tons of flowers and 400 kilograms of dried flowers are harvested from each hectare of chamomile.
He added: Unfortunately, Nahavand city does not have a good industry in the field of packaging of medicinal plants, extraction and essential oil, and if this sector flourishes, it will play a significant role in creating jobs.
Dehpahlavan continued: Nahavand, due to its unique climate, is prone to cultivate medicinal plants, especially chamomile, with many properties, so that in the past, except for chamomile, there were more than 500 species of medicinal plants in these areas, the most important of which are Kharshtar, Barijeh, Khar Maryam. Thyme, marshmallow, chamomile, anise, shallot, tragacanth, marigold, licorice, mint, peppermint, borage and fennel are.
He added: Cultivation of medicinal plants such as chamomile, whose most important properties are strengthening the stomach, treating gastric ulcers and gastritis, climatic conditions play a major role in growth and development so that it is resistant to cold.
He stated about how to plant this plant: Chamomile is planted in two ways; In the first method and indirect sowing, late October is a good time to sow the seeds in the open air, and the seedlings are ready to be transferred to the main land 4 to 6 weeks later in late November to early December.
Dehpahlavan added: in indirect cultivation, 5 to 10 kg of seeds are needed for each hectare of land, and a space of 30 to 40 square centimeters for each plant in the main land produces the maximum amount of flowers and essential oils.
He said: The best time to harvest flowers in April and May is when it is fully open and the yield of fresh chamomile flowers is 500 kg to 2 tons per hectare, which after drying 400 to 600 kg of dried flowers are obtained and from this amount of plant Chamomile produces 150 to 200 kg of seeds per hectare.
Head of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Nahavand city, stating that this plant has many branches and the best cultivation environment for chamomile is Iran, Germany, Morocco and other types of Roman chamomile, reminded: it is predicted from Nahavand chamomile fields between 80 to 100 tons of flowers Harvest quality chamomile.
