Phytochemical Evaluation and Chemotypic Variations in Improved Cultivars and a Native Landrace of Chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is a widely recognized medicinal plant, valued for its essential oil (EO) and flavonoid content, which contribute to its therapeutic properties. The demand for high-quality chamomile has led to the development and cultivation of improved cultivars worldwide. However, the adaptation and yield of these cultivars under different climatic conditions, such as those found in Iran, remain underexplored. This investigation was conducted to evaluate the quality of improved cultivars of chamomile cultivated in the climatic conditions of Iran and compare them with a native landrace. Two cultivars, ‘Zloty Lan’ and ‘Lutea’ were sourced from Germany and cultivated alongside a native landrace in Abadeh city, Fars province, Iran. Agronomic practices, including irrigation and weeding, were standardized across all test groups. Fully open flowers were harvested for analysis. The study focused on essential oil content and composition, as well as total flavonoid content. Both improved cultivars met European Pharmacopoeia standards for EO content, with ‘Zloty Lan’ exhibiting nearly double the EO content of the other samples. The native landrace was rich in α-Bisabolol oxide A (34.5%) and Chamazulene (25.6%), while ‘Zloty Lan’ and ‘Lutea’ also demonstrated significantly higher flavonoid content (87% and 68%, respectively). The results suggest that the climatic conditions of southern Iran, particularly Abadeh, are conducive to cultivating chamomile flowers that meet international quality standards (ISO 19332). The findings highlight the potential of this region for producing high-quality chamomile, with the ‘Zloty Lan’ cultivar showing superior performance in essential oil and flavonoid content.