Vertical Distribution of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in PA-Producing Weeds and Its Relevance for Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) Contamination Under Field Conditions

The expansion of organic farming in Europe increases the co-occurrence of medicinal and aromatic plant crops and pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-producing weeds, raising serious contamination concerns. This study evaluated the risk of PA contamination in organically grown chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) under field conditions in the North Vidzeme region of Latvia, with particular emphasis on vertical PA distribution in dominant weeds and on whether PA occurrence could be detected in chamomile pla