Harvest management in rose-scented geranium ( pelargonium sp.) for higher essential oil yield and superior quality under semi-arid tropics

Authors: SK Kothari; Y Vijay Kumar; AK Bhattacharya; S Ramesh

Source: Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, Volume 50, Number 6, December 2004 , pp. 593-600(8)

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Abstract:

Rose-scented geranium ( Pelargonium species) is grown as a perennial crop for production of high value essential oil, which finds application particularly in high-grade perfumery, cosmetic products and aromatherapy. A field investigation was carried out during 2001 - 02 to study the harvest of shoots of the crop on attainment of 4, 6 or 8 fully expanded leaves (FEL) and its effect on essential oil yield and quality under semi-arid tropics. Harvesting of shoots with 4 FEL produced 6 harvests / annum against 4 and 3 harvests per annum in the treatments representing harvest of shoots with 6 and 8 FEL, respectively. Highest biomass yield (18.1 t ha - 1 annum - 1 ) among the treatments was, however, observed in the treatment 8 FEL. On the contrary, essential oil content in the biomass of treatment of 4 FEL was 27.3 and 55.5% higher than 6 FEL and 8 FEL treatments, respectively. Similarly, estimated essential oil yield in the treatment of 4 FEL was 17.4 and 30.7% higher than 6 FEL and 8 FEL treatments, respectively. Furthermore, the essential oil produced in the 4 FEL treatment was found to contain higher citronellol, geraniol, citronellyl formate, cis- and trans-rose oxides and 10 epi- gamma

-eudesmol and lower linalool, menthone and isomenthone, than other harvest treatments. The gross and net returns were also remarkably higher in the 4 FEL treatment beside benefit-cost ratio. It is suggested that rose-scented geranium can be harvested more frequently (six harvests per annum) on attainment of shoots with 4 fully expanded leaves in order to produce higher essential oil yield with superior quality and higher return.

Keywords: Rose-scented geranium; Pelargonium species; Harvest management; Essential oil; Citronellol; Geraniol

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03650340400005531

Publication date: 2004-12-01

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Harvest management in rose-scented geranium ( pelargonium sp.) for higher essential oil yield and superior quality under semi-arid tropics

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