Abstract

REZENDE, Maria Elvira de et al. Effect of fertilization and soil water availability on content and chemical composition of alpinia essential oil. Rev. Ceres (Impr.) [online]. 2011, vol.58, n.2, pp. 208-215. ISSN 0034-737X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-737X2011000200012.

This study evaluated the influence of different fertilizers and soil water availability on the content and chemical composition of essential oil from alpinia leaves. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in a splitplot scheme, with three replicates. The plots corresponded to two limits of water availability at soil [LWD1 - reduction of 75% of the total water retention capacity (TWC) and LWD2 - reduction of 50% of TWC] and the subplots to the fertilizers: cattle manure, poultry bed, filter cake, chemical and the non-fertilized control. Water availability at soil, as well as, the fertilization did not affect either essential oils content or chemical composition at twelve months after planting. The major chemical constituents (contents) on leaves shell ginger essential oils were: α-thujene (6,11%), α-pinene (2,69%), sabinene (16,69%), β-pinene (4,64%), β-myrcene (1,76%), 1,8-cineole (19,41%) and 1-terpinen-4-ol (14,32%).

Keywords : Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt & Smith; Zingiberaceae; ornamental plant; nutrients; medicinal plant.