Vol. 74 No: 4

Title:
Citronellol: geraniol ratios and temperature in geranium (Pelargonium hybrid)

Authors:
LUIGINO DOIMO, DARREN C. MACKAY, GAVIN B. RINTOUL, BRUCE R. D'ARCY and ROBERT J. FLETCHER

pp: 528-530

Abstract:
Concentrations of citronellol and geraniol in essential oil from rose geranium (Pelargonium hybrid) were monitored monthly over four years using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Geraniol concentrations fell in winter and citronellol concentrations increased in spring. The citronellol/geraniol (C:G) ratio was a more sensitive indicator of change in oil composition than the concentration of either alcohol in isolation. C:G ratios rose sharply if the minimum air temperature (T_min) fell below 5.5°C for any time during the 5 d prior to monthly harvesting. A nonlinear model is proposed to predict the C:G ratio at any T_min. High C:G ratios indicated cold stress in geranium plants.

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