Essential Oil Components of German Chamomile as Affected by Vermicompost Rates

German chamomile belonging to Compositae family is one of the important medicinal plants. The active principles of chamomile essential oil are ?-bisabolol and its oxides and azulenes, including chamazulene. Environmental factors can affect essential oil production. One of the most important environmental factors is growing medium. Vermicomposting is biotechnological process of composting. In this process, earthworms are used to enhance the process of residue conversion. In this study the treatments were different rates of cow manure vermicompost (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% w/w). The study was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Thirty one components were identified in chamomile oil. The major components were ?-Bisabolol oxide A, Chamazulene, ?-Bisabolone oxide A, En-in-dicycloether and ?-Bisabolol oxide B. All treatments altered oil constituents.