Changes in the essential oil constituents of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) as influenced by soil and foliar levels of N and P

Abstract

Khan, M. M. A., Azam, Z. M. and Samiullah. 1999. Changes in the essential oil constituents of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) as influenced by soil and foliar levels of N and P. Can. J. Plant Sci. 79: 587-591. In a split-plotfield trial, the effect of foliar (F) application of 0 or 20 kg N, 2 kg P or 20 kg N + 2 kg P ha -1 was studied on the composition (analysed by GLC) and yield of fennel essential oil constituents grown with two soil (S) levels (60 kg N + 27 kg P and 90 kg N + 40 kg P ha -1 ). Camphene and dfenchone, both being bicyclic monoterpenes, and d-α-pinene, another bicyclic monoterpene showed a similar trend (R = 0.87) and their contents were maximum with FN20P2 at both soil levels. Methylchavicol and anethole (Phenylpropanoids) exhibited parallel trends (R = 0.56), with the control giving higher values at both soil levels. Interestingly, there was a negative correlation between some of the constituents, e.g. anethole versus d-fenchone (R = -0.99), anethole versus camphene (R = -0.87), and methylchavicol and d-α-pinene (R = -0.71), suggesting that the synthesis of the one constituent was at the expense of the other. Soil application of N and P enhanced the contents (%) of the phenylpropanoids (anethole and methylchavicol) while their foliar application increased the monoterpenes (d-fenchone, camphene and d-α-pinene). It is concluded that appropriate combinations of basal and foliar nutrients could be exploited to obtain higher yields of the desired constituents of fennel oil. , montrant que la synthèse d'un des constituants se faisait aux dépens de l'autre. La fumure N et P du sol augmentait la proportion des phénylpropanoïdes, tandis que la fertilisation foliaire accroissait celle des monoterpènes. Une bonne combinaison des fertilisants apportés au sol ou par voie foliaire, pourrait être utilisée pour obtenir un rendement plus élevé des composants recherchés de l'huile du fenouil.

Characterisation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the Hyptis pectinata (L.) Poit essential oil

“…Variations in both morphology and essential-oil components during plant development are not observed for all species. Additionally, chemical variations related to environmental conditions are frequently encountered in aromatic plants (Khan and Azam, 1999;SantosGomes and Fernandes-Ferreira, 2001). Therefore, variations in the Hyptis pectinata essential oil's composition in different developmental stages and geographical coordinates may contribute to the observed variation in activity compared to other studies (ArrigoniBlank et al, 2008).…”

“…Furthermore, other factors, such as weather, soil composition (Khan and Azam, 1999), season, seedling procedures (Santos- Gomes and Fernandes-Ferreira, 2001), use of pesticides, irrigation (Croteau, 1977), and harvest (Putievsky et al, 1986), may affect the essential oil's constituents. Such variation has also been reported for Hyptis suaveolens, which is collected in the Brazilian Cerrado.…”

Potential of Microbes Containing Formulations to Alter Growth and Phytochemicals of Medicinal Aromatic Plant- Foeniculum Vulgare

“…3 The aromatic nature of seeds of fennel is due to the presence of essential oil (EO) which is a rich source of anethole, limonene, fenchone, estragole and camphene among them the anethole is the most important constituent with determinant role in quality of the EO of seeds. 7 The EO from aromatic plants has usually been isolated by either steam distillation or hydrodistillation. 1 The EO of fennel plays an important role in confectionary, perfumery, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.…”

Changes in growth, yield, photosynthetic characteristics, enzyme activities and essential oil production of fennel (Foeniculum vulgareMill.) under growth regulator treatments

“…The essential oil (EO) of fennel plays an important role in pharmaceutical and other industries as well as in confectionery (2,13). The major constituents of fennel EO are trans-anethole and fenchone, which play preeminent role in pharmaceuticals and other industries (2,3,5,14).…”

“…Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ), belonging to the Apiaceae family, is an annual, biennial or perennial aromatic herb, depending on the variety (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). It is a high value medicinal crop used as a stimulant, diuretic, digestive, carminative, sedative, galactagogic, emmenagogic, expectorant and antispasmodic agent (2,3,10,11).…”