Short Communication

Value addition of essential monoterpene oil(s) in Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) on leaf positions for commercial exploitation

A. Misra* and N. K. Srivastava

Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, P.O.CIMAP, Kukrail Picnic Spot Road Lucknow – 226015, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: amisracimap@yahoo.co.in.

Accepted 9 July, 2010

 Abstract

While culturing geranium in controled glasshouse condition in sand culture techniques for maximum essential monoterpene oil(s), it was found that (0.21 %) in young developed 4th position leaf. At 4th position of leaf, net photosynthetic rate, contents of chlorophyll and essential monoterpene oil(s) were affected. The maximum peroxidase activity was obtained at 4th position leaf with the production of biomolecule geraniol. The maximum of monoterpene oil(s) was found at 4th level. However, the relative contents of citronellol, geraniol, linalool, and nerol varied at different leaf positions. As a result of different leaf positions, the contents of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were smaller in shoots of geranium. Their maximum contents were observed at 4th positions. Thus the added value of essential monoterpene oil(s) seems for commercial exploitation at large scales to be for the collection of leaf position at 4th level and for better quality of total essential oil of Geranium.

Key words: Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.), chlorophyll, Cu, dry mass, Fe, leaf area, Mn, net photosynthetic rate, plant height, saccharides, Zn.