Effects of inoculation with multi-trait rhizobacterial consortia on the growth, essential oil content and composition of Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty under mediterranean conditions

This study assessed the possible effects of chemical fertilizer (100 kg·ha-1 N, 50 kg·ha-1 P2O5, and 50 kg·ha-1 K2O), a commercial liquid bio-fertilizer, and inoculation with four strains of multi-trait bacteria on various growth parameters of vetiver under Mediterranean conditions. The chemical composition of vetiver root essential oil was analyzed using GC-MS after hydrodistillation. Maximum dry biomass and root weights were observed with BF3 inoculation, followed by chemical fertilizer application. The highest essential oil ratios were found in BF1 and BF2 treatments, while treatments with superior plant characteristics had lower essential oil ratios. GC–MS analyses of the hydro-distillated essential oil of V. zizanioides allowed for the identification of 70 different components in the oil. The main components in the oil were khusimol (21.26-35.36%), followed by vetiverone (3.45-8.08%), β-vetivone (0.38-12.93%), α-gurjunene (0.02-9.68%), ɣ-muurolene (0.60-7.85%), β-vetivenene (0.60-3.41%), valerenal (0.58-3.16%), junenol (0.52-1.47%), and khusimene (0.81-1.95%).