Research to identify plant bioactive compounds led to the evolution of extraction methods. This study optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) to extract the flavonoids of Croton grewioides Baill. species contributing to characterize the polar extract profile and understand the antioxidant potential of these plant constituents. The use of experimental design and statistical treatments enabled the determination of the ideal conditions for each technique. The extracts of five accessions of C. grewioides were obtained under the optimized extraction conditions and were analyzed using ultra high-resolution mass spectrometry (FT-Orbitrap MS) operating at negative ionization mode for flavonoids detection. The accurate experimental mass obtained to the main compounds was used to attribute the molecular formula. Chemical structures of the main compounds detected were proposed using structure data bases. Chemometric analysis were performed with two FT-Orbitrap MS spectra samples using the identified metabolites and, the antioxidant activity data, showing that for this species the MAE was most effective in extracting the antioxidant compounds. It was possible to propose the structures for forty compounds in the C. grewioides extracts, demonstrating the excellent performance of the FT-Orbitrap MS in providing information on the chemical profile of polar compounds in plant extracts. methods ultrasoundassisted ultrasound assisted UAE (UAE microwaveassisted microwave (MAE Baill constituents technique C highresolution high resolution FTOrbitrap FT Orbitrap detection formula bases

Croton grewioides Baill. popularly known as “canelinha” or “canelinha-de-cheiro” has been used for the treatment of influenza, antitussive, febrifuge and headache; however, the study of its phytochemical composition is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the extraction method and seasonality through leaf extracts of four accessions of Croton grewioides by fingerprint chromatograms aided by principal component analysis to analyze the differences and similarities among the samples. We aimed also to provide chemical characterization of isolated secondary metabolites using semi-preparative liquid chromatography. The results showed that only the chemical profile of the methanolic extracts of accessions 101 and 113 were influenced by the seasonality. For the first time, four flavonoids were isolated through semi-preparative chromatography in this species, characterized as quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside-(1→6)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-apiopyranoside-(1→6)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-glucopyranoside (3) and 3-O-methyl-quercetin (4), the flavonoid (2) has been recognized as a new triglycosylated derivative.

RESUMO O manjericão é uma erva aromática que se destaca por possuir importância econômica. É consumido in natura e também utilizado na obtenção de óleo essencial. O cultivo desta espécie em diversas regiões do mundo permitiu que surgissem variações mediante cruzamentos naturais e euploidia, ocasionando a ampla variabilidade genética existente. Considerando a importância desta espécie, este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a diversidade genética de 27 genótipos de manjericão usando marcadores moleculares ISSR. Quatorze primers foram utilizados para amplificação do DNA, resultando em 86% de polimorfismo. Com base no índice de dissimilaridade de Jaccard, observou-se o maior índice (0,80) entre os indivíduos BAS001 e BAS012, enquanto que o menor índice de dissimilaridade (0,18) foi detectado entre os genótipos BAS014 e BAS015. A semelhança genética entre indivíduos foi calculada, formando quatro grupos distintos. A maioria dos indivíduos (40,7%) foi agrupada no grupo I. O conteúdo de informação polimórfica (PIC) (0,89) indicou níveis consideráveis de diversidade genética entre os genótipos. Neste sentido, os marcadores ISSR foram eficientes na detecção de polimorfismos entre os acessos e confirmaram que é possível inferir a variabilidade genética na coleção. Isso demonstra a importância do uso de marcadores moleculares e as vantagens que esta informação pode oferecer ao melhoramento genético das espécies.

ABSTRACT Basil is an aromatic herb that stands out for its economic importance. It is consumed in natura and used to obtain essential oil. The cultivation of this species in several regions of the world has allowed variations by natural crosses and euploidy, leading to the wide genetic variability found nowadays. Considering the importance of this species, we aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of 27 basil genotypes using ISSR molecular markers. Fourteen primers were employed for DNA amplification, resulting in 86% polymorphism. Based on the Jaccard’s dissimilarity index, the highest index (0.80) was observed between the individuals BAS001 and BAS012, while the lowest index (0.18) was detected between the genotypes BAS014 and BAS015. The genetic similarity among individuals was calculated, forming four distinct clusters. Most individuals (40.7%) were allocated in cluster I. The polymorphic information content (PIC) (0.89) indicated considerable levels of genetic diversity among genotypes. In this sense, the ISSR markers were efficient in the detection of polymorphisms between the accessions, suggesting the genetic variability of the collection. This result demonstrates the importance of the use of molecular markers and the advantages that this information provides to the breeding of the species.

The methodology developed in this study through the acquisition of fingerprint chromatograms by liquid chromatography-diode array detector (LC-DAD), aided by principal component analysis, made it possible to assess, in a rational way, the chemical differences between six accessions of Lippia alba and to verify the influence of the method of extraction, the seasonality and the individuality of each accession on chemical composition of its extracts. Among all extracts analyzed against cancer cell lines, eight of them showed to be more promising against a human leukemia cell line (HL-60), displaying cell growth inhibition percentage ranging between 40.0 and 52.0%. In the inhibitory activity assays against acetylcholinesterase enzyme, all extracts showed weak inhibitory effect, with highlight only for six of them, which displayed inhibition ranging between 27.0 and 32.0%.

RESUMO A batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas) se propaga essencialmente por multiplicação vegetativa, e por isso pode apresentar acessos duplicados em bancos de germoplasma. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar a caracterização morfológica e agronômica de germoplasma de batata-doce do Banco Ativo de Germoplasma (BAG) da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS). O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental “Campus Rural da UFS”. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos casualizados, testando 73 acessos de batata-doce, com duas repetições e quatro plantas por parcela. Foram avaliadas características morfológicas e agronômicas da parte aérea e das raízes. Observou-se que o tipo de lóbulo da folha, o número de lóbulos por folha, a forma do lóbulo central e a forma geral da folha foram as características que mais proporcionaram variabilidade entre os acessos. Para danos causados por insetos de solo, 52 acessos apresentaram-se como tolerantes. Os acessos apresentaram variação entre 0,33 e 2,71 t/ha, para massa seca da parte aérea, e entre 1,20 a 10,89 t/ha, para produtividade total de raízes, e de maneira geral, os acessos apresentaram grande variabilidade fenotípica apontando perspectivas para um programa de melhoramento genético desta cultura.

ABSTRACT Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) spreads mainly by vegetative propagation, and therefore this vegetable may have duplicate accessions in germplasm banks. The authors aimed to characterize morpho-agronomically the sweet potato germplasm from the Active Germplasm Bank (AGB) of Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS).The experiment was carried out at the Research Farm “Campus Rural da UFS”. The experimental design was a randomized block design, testing 73 sweet potato accessions with two replicates and four plants per plot. Morpho-agronomic traits of aboveground part and roots were evaluated. We observed that the leaf lobe type, the number of lobes per leaf, shape of central lobe, and general leaf shape were traits which provided the most variability among the accessions. For damage caused by soil insects, 52 accessions showed tolerance. The accessions presented a range from 0.33 to 2.71 t/ha for dry mass of aboveground part and from 1.20 to 10.89 t/ha for the total productivity of the roots. The high phenotypic variability of this crop shows good prospect for breeding programs.

RESUMO A necessidade de definir uma dose de nitrogênio agronômica e economicamente adequada para a cultura da batata doce constitui um desafio imediato. O objetivo foi avaliar doses de N sobre a produção de biomassa e produtividade de raízes tuberosas, bem como verificar qual a dose econômica para a cultura da batata doce. O trabalho foi conduzido de março a agosto de 2011 em São Cristóvão-SE. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados com os tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 5x3, testando cinco doses de N (0, 30, 60, 120 e 240 kg/ha), empregando-se, como fonte de N a ureia e três clones de batata doce (IPB-052; IPB-075 e IPB-149), com três repetições. A cultivar comercial Brazlândia Branca (IPB-052) foi considerada como padrão. A colheita foi realizada aos 150 dias após o plantio. Todos os clones avaliados alcançaram valores superiores ao rendimento médio nacional de produtividade de raízes tuberosas (11,84 t/ha). A biomassa da parte aérea dos clones avaliados respondeu linearmente às doses de N utilizadas. A dose de 130 kg/ha de N proporcionou rendimento máximo de produtividade total de raízes tuberosas dos clones estudados.

ABSTRACT Determining the agronomic and economically suitable nitrogen dose for the sweet potato crop is a challenge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of N doses on the biomass production and yield of tuberous roots, and to determine the economic dose for the sweet potato crop. The study was carried out from March to August 2011 in São Cristóvão, Sergipe State, Brazil. A randomized block design was used, in a 5x3 factorial scheme, testing five rates of N (0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 kg/ha), using urea as N source, and three sweet potato clones (IPB-052, IPB-075 and IPB-149), with three replications. The commercial cultivar Brazlândia Branca (IPB-052) was considered as control. Plants were harvested at 150 days after planting. All clones studied reached values higher than the national average root yield (11.84 t/ha). The aboveground part biomass of the evaluated clones responded linearly to the N doses applied. Rate of 130 kg/ha N provided the highest yields for total tuberous roots considering the evaluated sweet potato clones.

The genus Lippia comprises approximately 200 species of herbs, shrubs and small trees, distributed throughout the South and Central America and tropical Africa. The species Lippia gracilis Schauer is an endemic aromatic plant of the Brazilian Northeast normally found in the states of Bahia, Sergipe and Piauí. The traditional communities of Caatinga, a semi-arid region of the Brazilian Northeast, use its leaves to treat throat and mouth infections, cutaneous diseases, ulcers, vagina disorders, acne, Pityriasis alba, dandruff, burns, wounds, sinusitis, bronchitis, nasal congestion, headache, jaundice and paralysis. Considering that the main investigations into the L. gracilis Schauer species are focused on its volatile constituents, in this report, we describe the isolation, by liquid chromatography with diode array detector-solid phase extraction/nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-DAD-SPE/NMR), of five flavonoids besides free and glycosidically bound carvacrol from an infusion of the leaves of a genotype of this species.

RESUMO A batata doce é tecnicamente uma planta perene, plantada e explorada como anual. A identificação do período de cultivo e de clones é importante para melhorar o aproveitamento dessa cultura, tanto na alimentação humana e animal, como para produção de etanol. Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho de clones de batata doce cultivados em diferentes períodos de cultivo para a produção de bioetanol. Foram testados nas parcelas três períodos de cultivo (3, 5 e 7 meses), e nas subparcelas, cinco clones de batata doce (acessos IBP-007, IBP-038, IBP-075, IBP-079 e IBP-149), além da cultivar Brazlândia Rosada. Foram analisados o teor de matéria seca de raiz, amido e amilose e rendimento de amido e etanol. O clone IPB-007 apresentou elevados valores para rendimento de amido (6,63 t/ha) e etanol (4.379 L/ha). Já para teor de matéria seca de raiz (38,32%) e amido (26,70%) e rendimento de etanol (176,26 L/t), o clone IPB-149 se destacou. Não houve diferença significativa para o teor de amilose. O teor de amido (13,94%) e rendimento de amido (1,64 t/ha), e etanol (1.034 L/ha e 92,04 L/t) foram menores para a maioria dos clones avaliados nos períodos de cultivo de três meses. Recomenda-se adotar o período de cultivo de cinco meses e os clones IPB-007 e IPB-149.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de clones de batata-doce cultivados em diferentes períodos. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. Foram testados nas parcelas três períodos de cultivo (3, 5 e 7 meses), e nas subparcelas, cinco clones de batata-doce (acessos IBP-007, IBP-038, IBP-075, IBP-079 e IBP-149), e a cultivar comercial Brazlândia Rosada. As variáveis analisadas foram sobrevivência, danos causados por insetos de solos (notas de 1 a 5 onde 1= sem danos e 5= muitos danos, sem valor comercial), massa fresca e seca de parte aérea, produtividade total de raízes. Os maiores danos causados por insetos de solo observou-se no clone IBP-007 (4,29), e menores danos nos clones IPB-038 (2,84), IPB-075 (3,01) e IPB-149 (2,88), que apresentaram resistência no cultivo durante sete meses. O clone IPB-007 apresentou elevados valores de massa fresca (14,07 t/ha) e seca (2,81 t/ha) de parte aérea, em todos periodos de cultivo, apresentando também, alta produtividade de raizes (33,16 t/ha). Recomenda-se cultivar a batata doce durante um período de cinco meses.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of sweet potato clones grown in different cultivation periods. The experimental design was a randomized block design, in a split-plot scheme, with three replications. Tests in the plots were three cultivation periods (3, 5 and 7 months), and in the split plots, five sweet potato clones (accessions IBP-007, IBP-038, IBP-075, IBP-079 and IBP-149), and the commercial cultivar Brazlândia Rosada. The studied variables were: survival, damages caused by soil insects (grades from 1 to 5 being 1= without damage and 5= very damaged, without commercial value), fresh and dry weight of the shoots, total root yield. The greatest damages caused by soil insects were observed on the clone IBP-007 (4.29) and the smallest damages were observed on the clones IPB-038 (2.84), IPB-075 (3.01) and IPB-149 (2.88) which presented resistance during the seven month cultivation period. Clone IPB-007 presented high values of fresh (14.07 t/ha) and dry weight (2.81 t/ha) of aboveground part in all the cultivation periods. Clone IPB-007 also presented high root yield (33.16 t/ha). We recommend the use of the cultivation period of five months.

A abóbora é uma hortaliça que apresenta grande importância na agricultura familiar no nordeste brasileiro. Muitas comunidades têm encontrado dificuldades na comercialização de todos os frutos produzidos, em função da grande variabilidade fenotípica, que nem sempre atende às exigências do mercado. O estudo de parâmetros genéticos é importante para fornecer informações na implantação e condução de um programa de melhoramento. Desta forma, o objetivo do trabalho foi estimar parâmetros genéticos, fenotípicos e ambientais para caracteres morfológicos e agronômicos em abóbora. Foram estudados sete genótipos de abóbora para os anos agrícolas de 2008 e 2009, considerando como aleatório o efeito dos anos e fixo o efeito dos genótipos. As variáveis analisadas foram comprimento e largura do fruto, espessura da polpa na região do pedúnculo, do meio e da parte inferior do fruto, altura e largura da cavidade interna do fruto, rendimento de frutos, número de sementes por fruto e massa de 100 sementes. A variável que apresentou os maiores coeficientes de variação genética (25,10 e 41,32 nos dois anos agrícolas, respectivamente) foi a espessura da polpa no pedúnculo. A herdabilidade foi acima de 90% para as variáveis comprimento dos frutos (98 e 97%), largura dos frutos (98 e 95%), espessura da polpa na região do pedúnculo (98 e 96%), e altura da cavidade interna do fruto (99 e 97%), nos dois anos agrícolas avaliados. Para a relação CVg/CVe, foram encontrados valores maiores que 1,0 para os caracteres comprimento e largura do fruto, espessura da polpa na região do pedúnculo e do meio, largura e altura da cavidade interna dos frutos, rendimento de frutos, número de sementes por fruto e massa fresca de 100 sementes. Na análise conjunta das médias, os genótipos se comportaram diferentemente em relação aos caracteres avaliados.

Pumpkin is a vegetable that has a great importance on family farm in northeastern Brazil. Many communities have found difficulties in the commercialization of all the produced fruits, due to the large phenotypic variability, which does not always attend the market requirements. The study of genetic parameters is important to provide information on the deployment and conduction of breeding programs. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate genetic, phenotypic and environmental parameters for morphological and agronomic characters in pumpkin. Seven pumpkin genotypes were studied in the crop years 2008 and 2009, considering as random the effect of years and as fixed the effect of populations. The analyzed variables were fruit length and width, pulp thickness in the peduncle, the middle and the lower region of the fruit, height and width of the fruit internal cavity, fruit yield, number of seeds per fruit and fresh weight of 100 seeds. Pulp thickness in the peduncle presented the highest coefficients of genetic variation, 25.10 and 41.32 in the two evaluated agricultural years, respectively. Heritability was above 90% for the variables fruit length (98 and 97%), fruit width (98 and 95%), pulp thickness in the peduncle and in the middle region of the fruit (98 and 96%), and height of the fruit internal cavity (99 and 97%), in the two evaluated agricultural years. For the CVg/CVe ratio, the values were greater than 1.0 for the characters fruit length and width, pulp thickness in the peduncle and in the middle region of the fruit, width and height of the fruit internal cavity, fruit yield, number of seeds per fruit, and fresh weight of 100 seeds. In the joint analysis of means, the genotypes showed different behavior in relation to the evaluated characters.

Insecticidal activity of essential oils of Pelargonium graveolens, Lippia alba and compounds geraniol, linalool, 1,8-cineole, limonene, carvone, citral and Azamax® were evaluated against Spodoptera frugiperda. Topical application assay showed essential oil of P. graveolens has acute toxicity against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae (third instar) with LD50 1.13 µg/mg per insect and LD90 2.56 µg/mg per insect. Three essential oils of L. alba also exhibited insecticidal activity with LD50 ranging from 1.20 to 1.56 µg/mg per insect and LD90 from 2.60 to 3.75 µg/mg per insect. Geraniol, linalool, carvone and citral caused significant mortality of 30, 90, 84 and 64% respectively, compared to negative control. The bioinsecticide, Azamax®, caused lower mortality than the compounds of the essential oils.

O gerânio (Pelargonium graveolens) é uma erva aromática e seu óleo essencial é comumente utilizado na constituição de fármacos e cosméticos no mundo. A planta adapta-se bem às condições climáticas do nordeste brasileiro, mas são escassos os dados sobre seu rendimento quantitativo e qualitativo. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência de espaçamento de plantas e intervalos de colheita em gerânio na produção de biomassa e de óleo essencial. Foram testados três espaçamentos de plantio (50x50, 50x60 e 50x80 cm) e três intervalos de colheita (8, 12 e 16 semanas). Os maiores valores totais de massa fresca e seca de folhas e caules (2679,04 g m-2; 424,62 g m-2; 1035,08 g m-2; 136,85 g m-2, respectivamente) e rendimento de óleo essencial (7,56 mL m-2), que são características de interesse direto para o mercado, foram obtidos em intervalo de colheita de oito semanas e no espaçamento de 50x50 cm. Nas demais variáveis analisadas, houve pouca diferenciação entre os tratamentos, contudo, períodos longos de colheita são menos produtivos, pois houve queda nos valores de todas as variáveis nas ultimas colheitas de cada intervalo. Assim, melhores resultados de quantidade e qualidade para o gerânio foram obtidos com intervalo de 8 semanas e no espaçamento 50x50 cm.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is an aromatic herb and its essential oil is commonly used in the creation of drugs and cosmetics worldwide. The plant is well adapted to the climatic conditions of the Brazilian northeast, but there are few data on its quantitative and qualitative yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of plant spacing and harvest intervals of geranium on the production of biomass and essential oil. Three different plant spacings (50x50, 50x60 and 50x80 cm) and three harvest intervals (8, 12 and 16 weeks) were tested. The highest values of total fresh and dry weight of leaves and stems (2679.04 g m-2; 424.62 g m-2; 1035.08 g m-2; 136.85 g m-2, respectively) and yield of essential oil (7.56 mL m-2), that are characteristics of direct interest for the market, were obtained at harvest intervals of eight weeks and at a spacing of 50x50 cm. In other analyzed variables, there was little difference between the treatments, however, long periods of harvest are less productive because decrease of values of all variables were observed in the last harvests of each interval. Thus, best quantity and quality results for geranium were obtained on an interval of 8 weeks, and spacing of 50x50 cm.

O vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) é um capim perene com características físico-químicas e agronômicas importantes que o torna uma espécie destaque. De suas raízes é extraído um óleo essencial utilizado amplamente na produção de perfumes e devido à sua baixa volatilidade, como fixador de odor. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver um protocolo de propagação e de conservação in vitro de vetiver. Para o ensaio de multiplicação in vitro testaram-se combinações dos reguladores de crescimento BAP e ANA. Na aclimatização foram testados substratos contendo pó de coco e/ou vermiculita suplementado com calcário, fertilizante NPK (3-12-6) e concentrações dos sais do meio MS. Nos ensaios de conservação in vitro foram avaliadas as temperaturas de 18 e 25°C, reguladores osmóticos (sacarose, manitol e sorbitol), o inibidor de crescimento ABA e diferentes concentrações dos sais MS. Verificou-se que a micropropagação de vetiver UFS-VET003 é promovida em meio MS líquido acrescido de 3,33 mg L-1 de BAP, sendo a etapa de enraizamento das brotações proporcionada em meio MS básico, também líquido. Para aclimatização recomenda-se o substrato PBC. A conservação in vitro é possível em meio MS semissólido com 25% dos sais MS e temperatura de 18°C por um período de 270 dias.

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a perennial grass which presents physicochemical and agronomic characteristics that highlights the importance of this species. From the roots of vetiver grass essential oil is extracted which is widely used for perfume production, and because of its low volatility it is used as fragrance fixer. We developed a protocol for in vitro propagation and conservation of vetiver grass. For the in vitro multiplication assay, combinations of the growth regulators BAP and NAA were tested. For acclimatization, substrates containing coconut coir and/or vermiculite, supplemented with limestone, NPK (3-12-6) fertilizer and the salts of MS medium were tested. In the in vitro conservation assays, we evaluated the temperatures of 18 and 25°C, osmotic regulators (sacarose, manitol and sorbitol), the growth inhibitor ABA, and different concentrations of MS salts. The accession UFS-VET003 can be micropropagated using MS liquid medium in the presence of 3.33 mg L-1 of BAP. Rooting can be obtained using MS liquid medium without growth regulators. Coconut coir dust can be used as substrate for the acclimatization of micropropagated plants. In vitro conservation is possible for a period of 270 days using semi-solid medium with 25% MS salt strength and temperature of 18ºC.

Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty, Poaceae, is a plant widely used in northeast Brazil in folk medicine for the treatment of various pathological conditions, including inflammatory pain. The present study evaluated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of C. zizanioides essential oil (EO) in rodents. EO was further characterized by GC/MS. The major components of EO were identified as khusimol (19.57%), E-isovalencenol (13.24%), α-vetivone (5.25%), β-vetivone (4.87%) and hydroxy-valencene (4.64%). Following intraperitoneal injection (i.p.), EO at 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of writhes (51.9 and 64.9%, respectively) and the number of paw licks during phase 2 (56.7 and 86.2%, respectively) of a formalin model when compared to control group animals. However, EO-treated mice were ineffective at all doses in hot-plate and rota-rod tests. The EO inhibited the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity in a dose-dependent manner (34.7, 35.4, and 62.5% at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). In the paw edema test, the EO (100 mg/kg) inhibited all three phases of the edema equally well, suggesting that the EO has a non-selective inhibitory effect on the release or actions of these mediators. Our results suggest possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the EO.

Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae, is an herb with great growth prospects in the cosmetic industry due to its essential oil. In order to improve its production, it is necessary to study related agricultural practices. This study evaluated the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on the chemical composition of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil. The assay was conducted at the "Fazenda Experimental do Glória" of the Federal University of Uberlândia, and essential oil extraction and GC/MS analyses were completed by the Centre for Research and Development on Plant Genetic Resources of the Campinas Agronomic Institute. The assay was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The tested treatments were six types of fertilization (0, 1, 2, 4, 8 kg.m-2 of cattle manure and mineral fertilizing with 60 g.m-2 of NPK 4-14-8 + 4 g.m-2 of boric acid) with four replications. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation in a modified Clevenger apparatus. The chemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS. The essential oil presented the same compounds for all treatments; however, the relative proportion of some chemical constituents was altered according to the treatment. Neral, geranial, and citronellal were the major constituents.