Effect of Inorganic and Biological Fertilizer Treatments on Essential Oil Composition of Ruta graveolens L.

Abstract

Essential oil components in the aerial parts of Ruta graveolens grown in chemical [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulphur (S)] and biological (Azospirillum and Glomus) fertilizer treatments were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy GC-MS. Essential oil distilled from control plants was 0.32 ± 0.03% (fresh weight basis), of which n-Hex-4-en-3-one (55.06%); n-Pent-3-one (28.17%); and n-Hex-3-en-2-one (14.07%) were the major components. The essential oil distilled from plants treated with Azospirillum broth amounted to 0.34 ± 0.04%, the major components being n-Hex-4-en-3-one (53.15%); n-Pent-3-one (37.54%); and n-Hex-3-en-2-one (7.05%). Essential oil from plants treated with NPKS amounted to 0.38 ± 0.04%, of which n-Hex-4-en-3-one (51.91%); n-Pent-3-one (36.06%); and n-Hex-3-en-2-one (9.51%) were the major components. Glomus-treated plants yielded 0.46 ± 0.03% essential oil, the major components being n-Hex-4-en-3-one (51.95%); n-Pent-3-one (31.84%); and n-Hex-3-en-2-one (13.45%). The findings suggest that nutritional treatments increased the essential oil concentration in R. graveolens but did not influence its composition, which was mainly composed of hydrocarbon ketones.

Keywords:

• Rutaceae
• volatile oil
• garden rue

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Niglat, Bhowali, Uttaranchal, India and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India for providing seed material and pure slants of the bacterium Azospirillum, respectively. Hamdard National Foundation, New Delhi, India is acknowledged for granting research fellowship to Afaq Ahmad Malik.