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Abstract: Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae) is characterized by a large chemical intraspecific variability among the land races. This fact makes it difficult to detect real changes occurring in their essential oil composition during annual cycle. Based on this, variations of essential oil yield and composition in two chemotypes (‘A’ and ‘B’) of M. koenigii were assessed in spring, summer, rainy, autumn and winter seasons under foot hill conditions of northern India. The essential oil yield ranged from 0.15% to 0.18% in chemotype ‘A’, while it varied from 0.12% to 0.14% in chemotype ‘B’. Essential oils of both chemotypes from different seasons were analysed by gas chromatography (GC–FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A total of fifty-eight constituents representing 93.7–98.8% of chemotype ‘A’ and fifty-six constituents forming 96.1–98.7% of the total composition of chemotype ‘B’ were identified. Chemotype ‘A’ was characterized by higher percentages of α-pinene (34.6–41.9%), sabinene (26.1–36.1%), (E)-caryophyllene (2.4–5.4%) and terpinen-4-ol (1.5–5.3%), whereas chemotype ‘B’ was dominated by higher amount of α-pinene (52.7–65.3%), β-pinene (10.7–12.9%), (E)-caryophyllene (3.1–10.3%) and limonene (5.1–7.8%). Comparative results showed considerable variations in the essential oil composition of both chemotypes due to season of collection. Present study concluded that the M. koenigii leaves of desired quality may be obtained by selecting suitable chemotype and season. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Peppermint ((Mentha piperita L.), family, lamiaceae) is vegetatively propagated (through runners or stolon and rhizomes) high demand aromatic/medicinal crop. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L. Herit ex Ait, family, Geraniaceae) is also vegetatively propagated (through rooted stem cutting), high value aromatic crop. Essential oil is extensively used in fragrance, aromatherapy, flavor, and pharmaceutical industries. A field experiment was conducted at CIMAP, Research Centre Farm, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, India during 2006–08 (two cropping seasons), to increase the production potential, resource use efficiency and monetary advantages of peppermint intercropping with geranium in temperate climate. The intercropping systems evaluated under different plant density (75cm×45cm, 90cm×45cm and 120cm×45cm) on biomass yield, essential oil content, yields and quality, resource use efficiency and monetary advantages of the intercropping system. Yield and quality attributes of peppermint was significantly influenced by plant density and intercrop. Under this intercropping system plant density 90cm×45cm was found maximum yield advantages and resource utilization efficiency over 120cm×45cm and 75cm×45cm, while monocrop peppermint at plant density 75cm×45cm was superior and produced 77.3% and 82.0% higher biomass and oil yield, respectively compared to wider spacing (120cm×45cm). The land equivalent ratio (LER) area time equivalent ratio (ATER), land use efficiency (LUE %) and monetary retunes were higher in 90cm×45cm spacing followed by 75cm×45cm over monocrop. The quality of essential oils of both the crops was good and acceptable for market. This intercropping system will help to increase high value essential oil production and more benefit to peppermint/geranium growers and aroma industry in temperate region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit. ex Aiton), belonging to the family Geraniaceae, has gained considerable attention because of its fragrance and high economic value. The compositional complexity of rose-scented geranium essential oil (GEO) has been challenging for quality control. In this study, the chemical profiles of GEOs extracted from Indian cultivars/genotypes were developed using polarity-based fractionation, followed by characterization using a combination of gas chromatography (GC-FID), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The analysis led to the identification of 121 compounds. Major components of the GEOs were citronellol (22.4–42.2 %), geraniol (5.7–30.5 %), linalool (2.1–9.8 %), citronellyl formate (4.0–9.5 %), isomenthone (5.3–7.5 %), geranyl formate (2.0–5.1 %), 6,9-guaiadiene (0.0–4.3 %), 10- epi - γ -eudesmol (0.2–6.4 %), 2-phenyl ethyl tiglate (1.0–2.1 %), geranyl tiglate (1.4–2.7 %), germacrene D (0.8–1.7 %) and geranial (0.4–1.6 %). This study identified effective markers which could help determine the authenticity of Indian cultivars/genotypes. Physical properties and chromatographic profiles of GEOs and terpeneless GEOs (TLOs) derived from Indian cultivar/genotype were compared. The two-step chromatographic separation coupled with principal component analysis allowed the identification of possible markers. The presence or absence of the sesquiterpenes, namely 10- epi - γ -eudesmol, 6,9-guaiadiene, and some other minor constituents, physical, and organoleptic properties, could effectively distinguish and define the quality of Indian cultivars/genotypes. Besides, the GEOs and TLOs prepared from different cultivars exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. [Display omitted] • Rose-scented geranium essential oil is known for its chemical complexity. • Chemical characterization and quality control of Indian genotypes were done. • Fractionation followed by GC-MS analysis led to the separation of co-eluting components. • The compounds identified could be viable tools for genotypes authentication. • Indian genotypes meet international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Additional nutrient supplements with recommended dose of macro nutrients helps to improve the growth and yields attributes. • Application of zinc sulphate and iron sulphate leads to higher response for per unit land yields, quality and economics. • Use of supplementary nutrients gave higher net income and benefit-cost ratio. • Overall improve the livelihood of menthol mint growers. Supplementation of nutrients plays a vital role in the growth yields and quality attributes of the crops. An experiment and demo trials were conducted in CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) research farm and at farmers' field(s) simultaneously, to study the adequacy of additional nutrients application in menthol mint (Mentha arvensis L. cv. Kosi and Kranti) for improving productivity and profitability. Results of both trials clearly indicated that NPK (recommended dose) and micronutrients based fertilizers eventually leads to accrue the net income. Commercially grown menthol mint farmers benefitted by consequently improvising fresh herbage, oil content, oil yield, gross returns, net income and benefit-cost ratio (B:C ratio) (50.86%, 3.45%, 55.04%, 55.04%, 207.80%, and 50.75%, respectively in cv. Kosi) in treatment T 4 [NPK (100:60:40 kg ha−1) + ZnSO 4.7H 2 O @ 25 kg ha−1)] concerning the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers T 1 [NPK (100:60:40 kg ha−1)]. Simultaneously, for the second demo trial, conducted in the farmer's fields, forty two farmers were selected for the cultivation of menthol mint. From the results, it was revealed that recommended dose of NPK fertilizers with the addition of zinc sulphate found significantly maximum yield and net returns in the plots; an increase of oil yields, gross returns, net income, and B:C ratio was 37.05%, 37.05%, 111.18%, and 32.88%, respectively in T 2 [NPK (100:60:40 kg ha−1) + ZnSO 4.7H 2 O @ 25 kg ha−1)]. Data attained from soil analysis distinctly showed that moreover increasing the yields and return of menthol mint cultivation, the integration of vermicompost, macro-micro nutrients, and bio inoculants with the recommended dose of NPK remarkably upgrades the soil fertility status in terms of organic carbon, available N, P, and K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]