Chemical Constituents of Essential Oil in Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium L. Hoffm.) Cultivated in Different Locations

Abstract

Climate plays an important role in crop production, and it is the main factor limiting the success of crop production in specific area. Medicinal plants are characterized by its contents of biological active substances. Among those, essential oil is considered as one of the most important natural substances. This field experiment was conducted during the two successive seasons 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 in order to evaluate the growth, yield and essential oil constituents of chervil plants at four different locations across Egypt (El-Fayoum, El-Minya, El-Sharkia, and El-Baharia Oasis). Plants cultivated in El-Fayoum showed the highest growth rate (plant height) and the highest yield (fresh and dry herb) followed by El-Sharkia. Also, the highest quality (0.180 and 0.185 % essential oil with 0.158 and 0.120 ml/plant in first and second season, respectively) was observed on plant cultivated in El-Fayoum and the lowest observed in El-Baharia Oasis plants. Thirteen main compounds were detected in GC/MS analysis of essential oil. There were obvious differences in chemical constituents of essential oil of plants cultivated under different locations. The lowest Methyleugenol, Estragoleand 2-Allyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzenecontents were observed in plant cultivated in El-Minya location. The highest Methyleugenol content (47.21 %) was observed in El-Sharkia, the highest Estragole content (18.04) were observed in El-Fayoum, and the highest 2-Allyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene content (7.89) was observed in El-Baharia Oasis. The results of this study suggested that agro-climatic zone and suitable location selection could be as important strategies for maximizing the content and composition of essential oils.