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International Journal of Agricultural Research

Year: 2011 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 | Page No.: 830-839
DOI: 10.3923/ijar.2011.830.839
Biomass Yield, Essential Oil Yield and Oil Quality of Rose-scented Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.), Intercropped with Vegetables
Rajesh Kumar Verma, Ram SwaroopVerma, Amit Chauhan, Anand Singh, Laiq-ur Rahman and Alok Kalra

Abstract: Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.) is a multi-harvest high value aromatic crop. Essential oil extracted through hydro-distillation of shoot biomass of geranium is used in fragrance, flavor and pharmaceutical industries. It is a vegetatively propagated (through rooted cutting) and initially slow growing. To utilize the crop resources, more efficiently and improve production potential a field experiment was conducted for two cropping years (2005-2006) in a temperate climate to evaluate the feasibility of intercropping of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.var. capitata), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis), vegetable pea (Pisum sativum L.) and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in rose-scented geranium. Plant canopy, leaf: stem ratio, biomass and oil yield of rose-scented geranium was significantly influenced by intercrops at first harvest while second harvest had no significant variation in plant height and canopy. Biomass and oil yield of rose-scented geranium was increased in all intercrops at the second harvest (after harvest of intercrops). Maximum biomass and oil yield was obtained in rose-scented geranium+vegetable pea (intercrop) treatment than sole rose-scented geranium. The resource use efficiency (LER, ATER and LUE %) and geranium oil equivalent yield (GEY) were higher in all intercrops treatments compared to sole. The study showed that C/G ratio in rose-scented geranium was also influenced by intercrops. The quality of geranium oil was good and readily accepted in the aroma industry.

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How to cite this article
Rajesh Kumar Verma, Ram SwaroopVerma, Amit Chauhan, Anand Singh, Laiq-ur Rahman and Alok Kalra, 2011. Biomass Yield, Essential Oil Yield and Oil Quality of Rose-scented Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.), Intercropped with Vegetables. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 6: 830-839.

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