Study on suitable sowing date of medicinal plant Chamaemelum nobileunder protected cultivation with rain shelter

In order to probe suitable sowing date of Chamaemelum nobile under protected cultivation of rain shelter in Sanming, “sm-3” was sowed in two different dates during 2012-2014. The results showed that sowing date could affect the plant height, crown diameter and fresh flower yield of Chamaemelum nobile. With the delay of sowing date, the plant height decreased, the initial flowering stage delayed, the flowering period shortened, and the fresh flower yield reduced. Flowing period of “sm-3” lasted for 26-40 days, average weight of single plant was 58.55-108.8 g, and the yield of fresh flower was 167.28-339.22 kg per 667 m². The highest yield of Chamaemelum nobile reached 339.22 kg 667 m² when sowed on Oct., 16, 2013. The experiment indicated that the suitable sowing date for Chamaemelum nobile was from the middle October to the early November, and never later then the end of November.