Effect of Different Harvest Dates to Essential Oil Components of Oil-Bearing Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) in Mardin

Abstract

Rosa damascena Mill. is the most prominent rose source for the manufacturing of rose oil, rose water, concrete, and absolute from flower petals. The purpose of this study was to see how different harvest dates affected the essential oil components and rates obtained from flowers in oil rose planted for the first time in Turkey's Mardin Province. Blossoms were taken five times with three replications, at around one-week intervals, from a garden in the Yaylabaşı district at 6:00 a.m. (4, 11, 18, 24, and 31 May). Animal manure and leonardite were used instead of chemical fertilizers for plants. No chemical pesticides have been applied. Essential oil components of the oils obtained by a water distillation system (Clevenger apparatus) were determined by GC/MS. The citronellol ratio, which is the most important component for the quality of the essential oil in the plant, was found to be highest (35.90%) in the first harvest period and lowest in the last harvest period (17.57%). Geraniol levels decreased in the first three harvests, with the greatest level (27.16%) coming in the last harvest. The percentages of citronellol/geraniol varied between 1.51 and 0.65 depending on the different harvest dates. Nerol rates peaked at 15.44% on the first harvest, progressively declined until the fourth harvest (7.92%), then slightly increased on the fifth harvest. Nonadecane continuously increased from the first to the last harvest (4.10%-11.66%). No methyl eugenol was detected. Mardin is a promising location for oil-bearing rose cultivation, given the essential oil components and their ratios.