FOLIAR AND EMISSION COMPOSITION OF ESSENTIAL OIL IN 2 CARROT VARIETIES

The compositions of leaf essential oil of two cat-rot varieties growin g in different growth conditions were studied. About 50 monoterpenoids , sesquiterpenoids, and propenylbenzenes were found. The essential oil compositions, for example, the relative proportions of sabinene and l imonene, were significantly different between the varieties. Young lea ves contained more propenylbenzenes, methylisoeugenol, and alpha-asaro ne than old leaves. There were also significant differences in essenti al oil composition between leaflets and petioles. Within varieties var iation of essential oil composition in individual carrots was detected , which suggests genetical impurity within breeding lines of varieties . There were no significant differences between composition and concen tration of compounds in carrot leaves grown in a greenhouse and in an open field. Headspace volatiles collected from carrot leaves contained the same compounds as in leaf extracts, but proportions were differen t due to different volatilization rates of compounds. These results su ggest that there is a high variation in secondary compound composition among different carrot varieties and that the relative abundance of c ompounds changes during growth, which might have important value in ho st selection to carrot pests.